Regarding the tensions within the government, the president of the PS expressed his disagreement with his Prime Minister. Paul Magnette did not appreciate that Alexander De Croo reconsidered past agreements on pension reform. Following threats from the European Commission, the government must review certain points of this reform, but the Prime Minister is said to have taken initiatives without consultation with his majority partners, including the PS, which is nevertheless at the head of this competence with the Minister for Pensions Karine Lalieux.
“There is a problem with the working method in this government. And the situation has worsened in recent weeks”points out Paul Magnette. “I am very angry with Alexander De Croo. He acted completely incorrectly by recently putting a proposal on pensions on the table without consultation. We had obtained a reform in July. We had drawn up a difficult budget. We We had a salary agreement. It was difficult but we did everything. Alexander De Croo then had problems with his WhattsApp [le fameux WhattsAppGate, NDLR] but we remained silent. We defend the budget. And what does he do to thank us? He’s attacking us in a way I’ve never seen before. I have the experience of four Prime Ministers but I have never seen a Prime Minister act like this.”
And the president of the PS to continue: “The prime minister is supposed to provide consistency and stability and now he’s attacking the biggest ruling party on a key issue (minimum pension, Editor’s note). […] So either it is an error in his documents, apparently it has already happened; or it is a provocation and it is incomprehensible.”
Is the trust permanently broken? Paul Magnette still wants to believe it. “It requires a good explanation to move forward. […] I remain constructive even if it annoys me greatly. I hope everyone is having a great Christmas vacation. I want to continue until 2024 and beyond with the Vivaldi. But if we start once more in January, it must be with respect. Karine Lalieux, the Minister of Pensions, has her proposals ready. And Alexander De Croo knows it.”
The president of the PS reacts to the cases
After a tackle to the Michel government, which he considers responsible for the current situation in terms of the budget deficit, Paul Magnette also returned to the cases which scratch his party.
On Jean-Claude Marcourtthe president of the PS declares: “His trip was within the rules and was approved by Parliament. But just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s ethically correct. I blame him for that. Especially since people in crisis energy are struggling to pay their bills. But he pulled out as a result, and that’s not unimportant.”
As it concerns Marc TarabellaPaul Magnette specifies: “We have suspended it in consultation with the Party of European Socialists. If there is a conviction, there will be an exclusion. But it is not because you are the subject of an investigation that you are guilty” .
And when told that it is often socialist politicians who are singled out, the party president reacts strongly: “This is not the case. At the moment, the trial of the ex-Minister of MR Serge Kubla takes place in Wallonia […] but no one cares. We socialists must always be better than the others because we defend the little ones.”
Finally, to end on a positive note at this Christmas time, Paul Magnette wants to assure Belgians of one thing: “2022 was difficult, but 2020 and 2021 were worse. So 2023 will be better than the year before. And in 2024 the whole world will be talking regarding Belgium. […] Because then we can promote our strengths as European President [notre pays prendra en effet les rênes du Conseil de l’UE début 2024, durant six mois, NDLR]. Belgium is great!”
