Petra De Sutter, the Minister of the Civil Service, Public Enterprises and Telecommunications, was a guest on Martin Buxant’s political show on LN24 on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. The minister was asked about the budget, particularly the budget hole, after discussing the Sanda Dia affair, in which a student died during a baptism test. De Sutter revealed that there is a three billion less deficit than expected for the federal government, which she considers good news. However, she acknowledges that Belgium is not Europe’s best student regarding the budget. Still, she notes that Belgium has provided maximum support during crises and salary indexation, putting them ahead of Germany and France.
When asked about making up for the deficit, De Sutter explains that the federal government has a 2023/2024 plan, but they are still discussing precise figures for these two years. They aim to strike a balance between expenditure and revenue while also addressing reforms such as tax and pension reform. Georges-Louis Bouchez challenges De Croo on the budgetary situation, saying they need to make decisions.
De Sutter disagrees with the idea of selling Proximus for revenue, considering it a short-term solution. In her opinion, it is important for the government to remain present in society’s basic services, such as the post office. As for savings to be made at the civil servant level, De Sutter notes that the number of federal civil servants is decreasing, and they have already reached the limit of what they can do regarding gain and efficiency. The civil service lacks means and people for all the tasks it must do.
Petra De Sutter, Minister of the Civil Service, Public Enterprises and Telecommunications (Groen), was Martin Buxant’s political guest on LN24 this Tuesday, March 21, 2023.
After coming back to the Sanda Dia affair, this student who died during a baptism test, the minister was asked about the budget. When asked for the precise figure of the budget hole, Petra De Sutter argues that there is three billion less deficit than expected for the federal government.
“It’s smaller than expected and that’s the good news”adds the minister. “Afterwards, the deficit remains what it is, but we had crises to manage. And when we say that Belgium is not the good pupil of Europe as regards the budget, we must say that we are number one of the countries when you look at what we have done for people, families and businesses. The support we have given in the energy crisis is the maximum, and at the level of salary indexation as well So per head of inhabitants, Belgium is even ahead of Germany and France in what it has given.”
Asked how the federal government intends to make up for this deficit, Petra De Sutter answers: “We already have a 2023/2024 trajectory that we decided last October. What is on the table and what the Prime Minister is asking us is to increase the effort. First a little bit in 2023 and then more in 2024. We are discussing it and we are seeing if it is possible. As for the precise figures for these two years, we have not yet decided. The message that has passed is: yes we must do more, but not at any price. We must look at the budget and the long-term debt, but we have already cut a lot in the public service. We must therefore first seek a balance between expenditure and revenue . Secondly, we have reforms on the table such as tax reform and pension reform. And these reforms must be done at the same time as the budget.”
Georges-Louis Bouchez tackles De Croo on the budgetary situation: “We must dare to make decisions”
Would selling Proximus for revenue be a solution to purify the budget? The Minister in charge disagrees. “It’s not a good idea and it would just be a very short-term solution. I think that in the basic services of our society, like the post office for example, it’s important for the government to remain present in a society which remains public.
What about the savings to be made at the level of civil servants? Petra De Sutter says: “The number of federal civil servants is decreasing. We are at 65,000 whereas a few years ago this number was 80,000. The budgets and resources they receive are also decreasing. I think that here we have reached the limit of what “We can do at the level of gain and efficiency at the level of the civil servants. The civil service is really at the end of it, it lacks means and people for all the tasks it must do.”
In summary, Petra De Sutter, Minister of the Civil Service, Public Enterprises and Telecommunications, gave an insightful interview on the budgetary situation of Belgium in the aftermath of the Sanda Dia affair. Despite a deficit, the Minister is proud of the support given to people, families, and businesses during the crises, making Belgium the leading country in Europe concerning financial aid. The government intends to increase financial efforts while balancing expenditure and revenue through necessary reforms such as tax and pension reforms. The Minister also advocates for a public presence in basic services such as the post office, and highlights the need for more resources and human capital in the civil service. Ultimately, Petra De Sutter and the government are determined to make informed decisions for the benefit of the country’s long-term debt and financial stability.