”En terms of lightness, there are degrees. Whether you go to work in basketball at your office, as a minister, you may find it appropriate. I don’t find that appropriate. There is a war in Europe. As Minister of Defence, when there is a war in Europe, you have to be a little careful”, stung Theo Francken in plenary, stressing however that this might make it more sympathetic to young people.
”It is not a strategy to attract young people”, replied the minister. “I am myself. I’m doing my best to rebuild this department. Whether I do it in sneakers or stilettos, what really matters is the action.”
The sequence was then shared on social networks, which allowed members of the socialist party to respond.
“Stop judging women on their looks”exclaimed Nawal Ben Hamou, Brussels State Secretary in charge of Housing.
“When you come to criticize the Minister’s sneakers, it’s because you really don’t have much to say”tweeted the Secretary of State in charge of the Recovery Thomas Dermine.
Hundreds of similar messages have been posted in support of the minister. Elected officials from other parties, such as Ecolo MP Guillaume Defossé or Brussels MP Margaux De Ré (Ecolo), also came as reinforcements, accusing Francken of making inappropriate remarks. Even Climate Minister Zakia Khattabi (Ecolo) tweeted with a photo of her sneakers.
“I didn’t comment on the way the minister dresses. That doesn’t interest me, I’m not educated like that. I simply said that I had reservations regarding the communication strategy. I have a double feeling. On the one hand, it’s good because accessible, especially to be able to hire young people at La Défense. On the other hand, we need to be serious because we are in a context of war. But in no case did I comment on the way a minister dresses. Either you misunderstood, or you misunderstood on purpose”, replied the N-VA deputy. Going so far as to add on Twitter that “some French-speaking politicians should learn irony”.
