He told us that on Monday, all the competent authorities were going to meet the federations of employers and the self-employed.
Alexander De Croo, our Prime Minister, was Fabrice Grosfilley’s guest this Friday at 7:50 a.m. He mentioned the energy crisis affecting Europe, Belgians, individuals and businesses.
How to help the Belgians? “During the covid, we did a lot: 15 billion measures in the economic world, and that helped us a lot. But what is our capacity to do the same for electricity? Our pockets are not endless. So we will take targeted measures, we have to be precise because for some companies, the cost of energy is not as important as for others, for example those with well-negotiated long-term contracts“.
Measures for businesses will be taken soon, the Premier announced in our studio. “Monday, we will see the federations of employers and the self-employed. I will do this with the minister-presidents of the regions and the ministers concerned, and establish what are the necessary measures“.
Europe must say no to the wholesale market
“All European countries are confronted. Governments are doing everything to help people as much as possible. We have had measures in force in Belgium for some time, which represent 4 billion euros. The social tariff concerns 20% of the population, with a considerable advantage. Reduction in VAT, reduction in excise duty on fuels… We are faced with something that we have never seen, but the solution will come from the international level, and therefore from Europe, by intervening with the gas market. We, 450 million Europeans, at some point, we have to tell the wholesale market that these prices are no longer going to be paid“.
And for individuals, what is the short-term solution?
“When you receive an invoice with a payment proposal, you can always say ‘I don’t agree with this amount, I want to pay a lower amount’. We are also in consultation with the banks so that they can help people who are in serious trouble. Example: a mortgage loan and an energy bill which arrives at the same level: you could ask your bank, during the winter period, to have a break for the repayment of the credit. Banks are in the process of making this commitment, they have already done so during the covid period, it has helped a lot of people“.
Are we moving towards coercive measures? Tell stores, for example, to no longer leave their doors open in winter/summer? Prohibit electric heaters on terraces? Force the heating to 19 degrees for everyone?
“The decision is made in our own buildings. Many follow us (municipalities, companies, etc.). At the level of citizens, many are already doing it. The energy that you do not use is clearly the cheapest. If all together , we’re making an effort, it will lower prices (because demand will drop). I don’t think coercive measures are necessary, everyone realizes what needs to be done. Besides, consumption in Belgium now, is on average already between 10 and 15% lower than last year”.