Flemish nationalist MP Sander Loones brought up comments made by Minister for Institutional Reforms David Clarinval in the Constitution Committee during a parliamentary session. Deputy Prime Minister MR stated that while reform where necessary is not ruled out, significant institutional changes are not favored. Loones interpreted this as a sign that the government does not plan on major state reform, much to the disappointment of the N-VA. Alexander De Croo responded to these criticisms, pointing out that the N-VA has yet to achieve progress in this area and has wasted time on negotiations in the past. Furthermore, De Croo emphasized that the current government aims to make the country work as opposed to breaking it apart, and that it will fall to the next government to address any unresolved issues. The leader of the Flemish nationalists group Peter De Roover expressed skepticism about the Vivaldi government’s promised reforms.
Flemish nationalist MP Sander Loones questioned the Prime Minister about remarks made the day before in the Constitution Committee by the Minister for Institutional Reforms David Clarinval. “Like the Prime Minister, I do not rule out reform where necessary, but I am not in favor of a great deal of institutional haggling,” said Deputy Prime Minister MR.
Sander Loones saw it as proof that the government was not considering major state reform, to the chagrin of the N-VA.
“It’s a bit cynical,” reacted Alexander De Croo. “Your party hasn’t achieved anything yet in this area. Zero. Nothing. For a party for which this is the reason for existence, it’s still sad,” he said ironically. And to continue: “you have never managed to conclude agreements on this subject. You have wasted a lot of time for our country… and you plan to do it again after the elections by locking us into negotiations which will last months and months. We use another method. You want to break this country up, we want to make it work,” he concluded.
“The six (previous) state reforms were not ours,” assumed Sander Loones. “This bric-a-brac, this lack of efficiency, it’s your doing”.
“You are not taking the opportunity to show that the country works and it will be up to the next government to settle the ruins left by this government”, added the leader of the Flemish nationalists group Peter De Roover, wondering about the agenda reforms announced by Vivaldi.
The debate over state reform in Belgium continues to be a contentious issue, with the N-VA party eager to push for major changes while the current government takes a more cautious approach. As both sides square off, it remains to be seen how this issue will play out in the upcoming elections and what impact it will have on the future direction of the country. One thing is clear – there is no easy solution to the challenges facing Belgium, and it will take a concerted effort from all sides to find a way forward. Thanks for reading.