2023-09-04 04:40:00
Safety is definitely the back-to-school theme of the MR. The question will be dug by the party in the coming months and brought to the highest level of the State by David Clarinval. “The situation of insecurity that we observed this summer pushes us to want to take stronger measures at the level of the police, justice and the reception of refugees”, explains the Deputy Prime Minister.
To this crisis, the Liberal wants to provide a response that hinges on two levels. Reforms and additional resources will be needed. This bodes well for legalistic discussions and budgetary negotiations.
When it comes to safety, the MR has often championed zero tolerance. Today, he wants to make this concept even more noticeable. “We want to set up immediate perceptions for traffickers. We need more severity in penalties. We want to apply the breaker pays principle. Anyone who destroys street furniture will have to contribute to the costs of compensation. We ask for the execution of small sentences. Acts of rebellion against the police force should be more severely punished.”
In terms of the measures to be taken, David Clarinval will insist on strengthening the means allocated to the police. “We must increase the number of police patrols in sensitive places, such as around major stations. We must also increase the number of surveillance cameras and identify risky behavior.”
What does the Minister think of facial recognition? Should its use be authorized on Belgian soil? “I am ready to open the debate. Of course, you have to respect the protection of privacy, but it is a solution that can be discussed.”
We come to the central element of his argument, namely the establishment of police headquarters within the stations themselves. “We must not only create a police station within the Gare du Midi, but also in the other major stations in the country.”
Implementing these various measures involves releasing additional financial resources. For David Clarinval, this discussion could take place in the coming weeks, when the budget debates will open. “We are ready to make an effort to fund more police and justice. The MR supports the demands made by Minister of Justice Vincent Van Quickenborne (Open VLD) and Minister of the Interior Annelies Verlinden (CD&V).”
The other big issue on which the MR promises to remain as combative is nuclear power. “Certainly, the decisions have been made, but now they have to be implemented”, insists David Clarinval. “Laws must be passed as soon as possible.”
It had been agreed at a previous Council of Ministers to examine Elia’s AD Flex study at the start of the school year. The idea is to analyze the solutions to be put in place to fill the gap in electricity production expected between 2025 and 2026.
“This debate is going to happen. We can discuss it. I am not saying that we are going to succeed because the priority is first to conclude the two other nuclear reactors (Doel 4 and Tihange 3) on which we had a deal before the holidays. But I think that the two files must be carried out simultaneously.
The agenda provides for the signing of the documents relating to Doel 4 and Tihange 3 to take place on 31 October. This sequence will be followed by votes in parliament. Several laws will have to be amended to give effect to the extension agreement concluded with Engie. The conclusion of the agreement is expected for May next year. The start of the LTO (Long term operation) is marked for the month of November 2025.
“We still have to take several steps in the coming months to make this agreement a reality. It is a priority for us to continue to hit that nail. We must urgently examine the options we can take to fill the gap that is before us. Either we go towards an extension of other nuclear reactors and we must begin discussions. Either we will have to build gas reactors and political decisions will also be needed. However, we saw this summer that the closure of nuclear power plants led to an increase in CO2 emissions. We cannot therefore continue to close nuclear power plants and increase CO2 emissions in our country when we have the possibility of extending existing tools.
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