2023-10-22 18:23:35
Update
October 22, 2023
20:23
The Open Vld preferred to rely on the team set up by the resigning minister Vincent Van Quickenborne. The senior magistrate Paul Van Tigchelt, former number 2 in the cabinet, therefore becomes Minister of Justice and Deputy Prime.
It’s a bit of a surprise from the chef which, on reflection, is ultimately very logical. Because the Open Vld did not want to bet on a brand new minister arriving with his own team, eight months before the elections. Exit, then, Gwendolyne Rutten who announced her intention to leave national politics, angry at having missed this prestigious position. And place Paul Van Tigchelthigh magistrate, former boss of Ocam, former spokesperson for the Antwerp public prosecutor’s office and former cabinet minister of the VLD for many years.
“He is someone who knows the legal world inside out, for us, it is a guarantee of continuity, especially since he has very important cases to follow.”
Aged 49, this Antwerp resident was deputy chief of staff and spokesperson for the Minister of the Interior, Patrick Dewael. Deputy prosecutor at the Antwerp public prosecutor’s office, in 2016 he became head of Ocam, the body which determines the degree of the terrorist threat in Belgium. It was in 2020 that he became number 2 in Vincent Van Quickenborne’s cabinet. Behind the chief of staff Mathilde Steenbergen, he was more particularly concerned with the judicial aspects of his function – judicial police, State Security… He therefore the advantage of knowing the house perfectly and current affairs.
Ine Van Wymersche, former King’s Prosecutor of Hal-Vivorde and currently national drug commissioner, welcomes her appointment. “He is someone who knows the legal world inside out, for us, it is a guarantee of continuity, especially since he has very important files to follow. He has the advantage of having perfect mastery of these files for having prepared them for Minister Van Quickenborne. Now he will add his own touch.“
“He goes with the wind.”
And what is this key? First, the man is a magistrate, the first Minister of Justice in this case for decades. Afterwards, he is no stranger to the world of the press for being a spokesperson and taking this aspect of the job seriously. Finally, he is a fan of “work hard, play hard”, says Ine Van Wymersche. “With him, we can discuss everything, disagree without him being upset.”
The man, big fan of cycling and Anderlecht, however, has detractors. On condition of anonymity, someone who worked with him scolds someone who “goes in the direction of the wind while taking care to avoid gusts hitting him. And he’s a pure Antwerp residentfor whom Antwerp is the center of the world and the rest around it, a parking lot.”
It’s squeaky, at the Open Vld
Presented for his swearing-in before the king this Sunday, Paul Van Tigchelt will leave with the same team as that of Vincent Van Quickenbornethe same chief of staff, the same spokespersons.
“The Open Vld should give priority to competent women.”
Note for the road that his appointment not only upset Gwendolyn Rutten in the ranks of the Open Vld. Thus, former minister Bart Tommelein has decided to no longer be part of the party’s vast board of directors. “I think it’s a missed opportunity,” laments the mayor of Ostend. Flemish MP Mercedes Van Volcem is also among those dissatisfied. She believes that the Open Vld should “give priority to competent women”. “It’s time to turn this difficult holiday into one where warmth and respect reign.” The Bruges councilor also says she regrets Rutten’s decision and hopes that she will change her mind. “Gwendolyn is a great person with experience.”
“No time to waste”
For his part, the president of Open Vld justified this choice by the imperatives of efficiency. A security expert was needed, insisted Tom Ongena. “No question of taking a hundred days, or even ten. It was necessary to start immediately. There is no time to lose.” What Prime Minister Alexander De Croo summed up in one formula: “the right person in the right place”.
“The position of Minister of Justice is very important, especially at this time, with the growing terrorist threat in our country, the conflict in the Middle East and the war on drugs.”
The new minister was presented to the press on Sunday evening at the headquarters of the Flemish Liberals. Emphasis was placed on his expertise, not only as former head of the Coordination Body for Threat Analysis (Ocam), but also as a former drug magistrate in Antwerp. “The position of Minister of Justice is very important, especially at this time, with the growing terrorist threat in our country, the conflict in the Middle East and the war on drugse”, defended President Ongena, after internal criticism. …within his party.
Paul Van Tigchelt himself spoke of last Monday’s attack, “which hit us right in the heart. People expect answers and solutions from us.” The new Minister of Justice therefore wishes to get to work immediately to continue the work of his predecessor “as best as possible”.
In the 2024 elections, the new minister will also defend the colors of the Open Vld in Antwerp, but his place on the list has not yet been decided. “I will take my responsibilities”did he declare.
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