2023-09-02 15:35:00
In an interview granted to La Libre, the president of the N-VA, Bart De Wever, reaffirmed his desire and the need to set up a confederal system in Belgium. But the president of the PS, this solution is unacceptable. “I say it and I repeat it. Socialisms will never accept confederalism. For us, the cement of Belgium is social security and we will not touch social security. We will never be a partner to discuss of this kind of thing”, explains Paul Magnette at the microphone of LN24.
Regarding transfers of funds between Flanders and Wallonia, the socialist recalls that “it’s solidarity, it’s normal”. “For a very, very long time, Wallonia was the richest region in Belgium and Flanders benefited a lot from it. In this period, Flanders is more prosperous and Wallonia benefits from it. But that’s what makes a country, it is what makes the unity of a nation”, he adds.
The PS reaffirmed itself on Saturday as the workers’ party. On the occasion of the Summer Universities, the President, Paul Magnette, launched the Socialists’ electoral pre-campaign by making the improvement of working conditions and social protection for low- and medium-wage workers one of his priorities.
”A great party of workers”
“There is only one big party of workers, which defends all workers, it’s us, it’s the PS”, he launched in front of the militants gathered at the Théâtre de Mons.
While unemployment is falling, the number of people suffering from illness or disability is experiencing an unprecedented increase. In the eyes of the PS, the phenomenon shows the importance of leading the political fight for the quality of work, which is both bearable and a source of fulfilment. “In the battles of the coming months, it is obvious that the question of protecting the workers who have the most difficulty today must be central”, added Mr. Magnette, recalling that it is in the sectors which have appeared as essential during the health crisis when the harshest conditions were observed.
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Another challenge: the environment. If it has not always been at the forefront of socialist concerns, it is different today, to hear Mr. Magnette. “We weren’t the first but we are the best,” he said. “Thanks to the work we have done, we have been able to demonstrate that in terms of climate, we are at the heart of a social divide (…) The ecological question is today the new class struggle”.
The First Secretary of the French PS, Olivier Faure, was the guest of honor at these Summer Universities. The French socialists have made an alliance with the extreme left and the ecologists within Nupes. Could the initiative inspire the Belgian French-speaking PS? It is in any case difficult to conceive with the communists of the PTB who do not intend to enter into regional or federal coalitions in 2024.
“It will not be before long since the PTB has said that, whatever happens, it will not go up to the government. This is why we need a strong PS otherwise we will have a new majority MR / N-VA “, warned Mr. Magnette questioned on the sidelines of the meeting.
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