2023-11-25 07:27:00
Who is hiding behind the man who embodies the extreme left whose latest polls announce an unprecedented breakthrough in Wallonia? How did the president of the PTB manage to get this party off the ground, which will perhaps make the greatest progress in the south of the country if voting intentions are confirmed? This is what we tried to find out. Meeting with Raoul Hedebouw.
Is condemning the state of Israel as you did a political strategy on your part?
Of all the arguments used in the debate today, this is the one that disgusts me the most and I will really weigh my words. On the one hand because on the left, support for Palestine dates back several years and on the other hand, this would also imply that these workers who vote for us, because they have other sources of information would be illegitimate
The latest polls show a strong progression of the PTB both in Wallonia and in Brussels and even rank you at the top of the people by whom the Walloons want to be represented, does that make you feel tired?
Really not, I have my feet on the ground. We can agree or disagree with Raoul Hedebouw but whether it’s my friends or people, I want to remain authentically who I am. I speak like I am in real life. I embody popular resistance. I don’t want to start surrounding myself with doctors of communications, etc. There is a form of spontaneity that touches people. First of all, there is a real left-wing people who see an alternative to the left but there is always a link between the individual and the collective, that’s for sure.
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The Raoul style appeals to the north of the country too, whereas it is the extreme opposite to your party, the extreme right which is strongest in Flanders. How do you go about seducing people in Flanders?
My mother comes from Hasselt, my father from West Flanders. I believe that I can look for popular groups who vote today for Vlaamse Belang or who abstain and who could exercise a rebellious vote with you. The angry, not the fascists as they say in France. And this, certainly among the working class.
You keep repeating that you do not want to govern but if in the next elections your scores are as good, you will therefore be responsible for blocking the country, which will not help the social or financial problems of the Belgians. It will perhaps be you, with your scores, who will block the country…
I never said that I would never join the government. I said it was difficult to find partners. I need to find some, potentially on the left, for this break against the neoliberal order but for the moment, this break does not exist. The easiest thing would be to say ‘vote for us it will be fine’, I prefer to be honest: no there is no logical break. The balance of power can, however, weigh on the parties and I can commit to one thing: from the opposition, we can achieve a lot of things.
The current context is not reassuring, we notably experienced an attack in Brussels, you yourself were stabbed in the middle of a meeting in 2017, in the street, on your podium. Have you been living in fear of further aggression since then?
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There is a before and an after. These 6 centimeters of scar are there and every winter forces me to remember this episode because the pain is felt. Before this attack, I arrived with my hands in my pockets, now I need to remain accessible but I am accompanied. I get kids who watch my back literally and figuratively.
Outside of politics, you are a big supporter of Standard. You are even part of the Ultras. For you, supporters have as much say as club managers?
I find that yes. The managers and players rotate, the supporters stay. People pay their subscription, travel, whether the club plays well or not. It seems logical to me to give the supporter a voice. The supporters are the soul of the club. Football is unfortunately becoming a business like any other and that is worrying. It must remain a popular celebration. I appreciate the ultras for their anti-fascist work and their involvement in the animation of the stadium. Since I have my two children, I have had to limit my attendance at matches but with friends, we regularly exchange our passes to go to the stadium.
Football fan, sportsman, runner, we also call you DJ Raoul!
I started running again a year ago. I played DJ until 2014 with my friend Alberto then we did weddings, communions,… DJ Raoul and DJ Beber (laughs) You have to follow as a DJ but I still have an incredible pleasure in partying. I love to party but I won’t urinate in public and I won’t throw racist things. In addition, I say it honestly: since I have had a public function, I have been more careful.
Have you ever been threatened with compromising images?
No never ! Because there isn’t one. I’m careful and I’ve gotten older too, I love partying but I hate having a headache the next day. And I find it logical to be a certain form of example as a political figure.
How are you holding on today?
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I plan a jog every five weeks. A healthy lifestyle, my wife Laura, my children, family and friends, that’s my foundation. This gives stability.
You come from Herstral, the 4040 represents as you often say. Where could you never live in Belgium?
In Lasne, although I am sure that there is a popular side in each commune. Knokke on the other hand, I would have problems with the mayor because I would go with my fridge box!
What signs of wealth do you have? Which ones could you never wear?
I bought a nice pair of binoculars. From memory, it cost 2 or 300 euros. My car too! It’s a Skoda and they are very good cars. I’m not poor, am I? I live on 2200.2300 euros per month. There are a lot of people living on less than that and yet, even for me, it’s getting harder and harder. From the 22nd of the month, I open my banking app to avoid the ‘insufficient balance’ at the checkout. I don’t think paying a lot of money for a watch is worth it. For a GSM on the other hand, I will invest. I also indulge in little pleasures sometimes, like renting a bungalow or going to a hotel on vacation from time to time. I have no problem with the fact that people who work a lot earn more.
At what salary is super rich for you?
The super rich that I point out are those who earn more than 5 or 6,000 euros per month.
In politics, who do you hate and admire?
Frankly, in politics, I don’t hate anyone. I really have respect for political debaters. I love debating with Georges-Louis Bouchez for example. It’s a clash and we’ve been debating for 20 years. We don’t agree on anything but it’s interesting. I hate the far right on the other hand, because they spread hatred.
Do you admire Georges-Louis Bouchez?
No ! You shouldn’t push the bottle either! But let’s take Maxime Prévot for example. I have real respect for the operation he is leading and his desire to recreate something when everyone says his party will disappear. I also appreciate André Flahaut because he has real convictions.
Are you friends with Mélenchon?
I have contact with him. We meet once or twice a year but not to the point where we spend our lives together. We communicate via Whatsapp but not every week like friends.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
The situation is becoming very unstable and it is very difficult to plan for yourself. If at 80 I could still have Bernie Sanders’ mania, that would be great!
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