2023-11-04 06:00:00
In any case, there will still be a liberal party in Flanders. Between 20 and 25% of Flemish voters are ready to vote for a strong liberal party. In terms of political figures to be renewed, my successor, Tom Ongena, is working on it and I support him. However, on the content and on the way of doing politics, it will also be necessary to renew it. We have been in power for 25 years. The biggest problem with Open VLD is that important decision-makers think that governing is enough to convince people.
gull
The biggest problem with Open VLD is that important decision-makers think that governing is enough to convince people.”
You mention Alexander De Croo, without naming him…
Alexander understands that there needs to be a balance between his role as Prime Minister and liberal ideology. But he cannot take this line personally because he must assume his role as head of government. The ABC of politics is not complicated: you need convictions; we must determine the themes that we want to defend; you have to fight for your beliefs. This is the last point that has been lost sight of among us in recent years: fighting for liberal ideas is frowned upon because it gets in the way of majority agreements. The Open VLD must really regain its pride and bring up a new generation of leaders. To return to your first question, yes, Open VLD will still exist in 2024 but in another form.
Alexander De Croo to La Libre: “The period of major institutional reforms, honestly, is in the past”
Alexia Bertrand (Open VLD), Secretary of State for the Budget, could create an independent liberal list in Brussels if a joint MR/Open VLD list (where she could occupy third place) could not be formed in view of the federal elections.
Creating a new liberal party in Brussels is not an optimal solution. With the common list, we would be stronger. Alexia knows this very well. She still has a lot of affection for the MR, she also kept her party card after her arrival at the Open VLD. As president, I supported the creation of a common list in Brussels. The contacts were good. But, now, the MR is waiting to see what happens at the Open VLD and what political line will be followed. The MR is also awaiting assurances on its participation in a future Brussels regional majority (currently, the Open VLD governs without the MR).
©cameriere ennioA Starbucks sandwich changed Alexia Bertrand’s life: “She could have done like Paris Hilton but she prefers to bicker at the kern”
The Open VLD will have paid dearly for the “16”…. Should he accept the office of Prime Minister?
The federal government has weathered the crises very well: that of Covid and, then, the energy crisis caused by the invasion of Ukraine. On the other hand, the government suffers more when it comes to carrying out reforms: tax reform, labor market reform… Parties issue vetoes and that blocks everything. For Open VLD and CD&V, this is a problem. We took a risk by joining Vivaldi by leaving the two largest Flemish parties, the N-VA and Vlaams Belang, in opposition. In Vivaldi, this last year has been particularly complicated. Alexander wants to do everything to make his government work and, as a result, relations have been extremely tense between Alexander and me. Even if it never became personal. We have spoken several times since this summer and everything is fine between us. I understand the situation he finds himself in.
gull
Relations were extremely tense between Alexander and me. Even if it never became personal. We’ve spoken several times since this summer and everything is fine between us.”
Do you feel bitter after the sequence that led to your resignation?
Leaving the post of president was a personal liberation. Being the president of the party that has the post of Prime Minister is extremely complicated. This factor should not be underestimated.
Alexander De Croo and Egbert Lachaert. The two heavyweights of Flemish liberalism have experienced moments of tension. ©Belga
“For the PS, anything that bothers the FGTB is a problem”
Vivaldi’s parties didn’t help. The MR and the PS have never stopped bickering…
The establishment of Vivaldi involved protecting the Open VLD and the CD&V against the Vlaams Belang and the N-VA. But this principle was not respected. For example, on labor market reform, I expected socialists like Dermagne and Dermine to appear modern like Vooruit (the Flemish socialist party). But, for the PS, anything that bothers the FGTB is a problem. The French-speaking left is playing a very dangerous game and endangers Belgium: if the Flemish center-right parties arrive with a minimal score in the next elections, we risk having a Catalan scenario in Flanders.
gull
If the Flemish center-right parties arrive with a minimal score in the next elections, we risk having a Catalan scenario in Flanders.”
That’s to say ?
Vlaams Belang and the N-VA could obtain a majority of seats in the Flemish parliament. Many disillusioned with traditional parties could vote for Belang and give the far right an even higher score than the polls predict. However, 75% of the N-VA electorate is in favor of a coalition with Belang, according to polls. Bart De Wever does not want to form a coalition with the VB, but his position will then be untenable. According to this Catalan scenario, there will be a majority in the Flemish parliament to block the entire country while awaiting institutional discussions between Dutch speakers and French speakers. The country will be blocked, it will cost a lot of money. In terms of international markets, it will be a disaster for Belgium’s image.
Bart De Wever at La Libre: “If you don’t like me, look who will come after me…”
Ultimately, despite the criticism against him within the Open VLD and elsewhere, Georges-Louis Bouchez was right on a strategic level when he harshly asserted his liberal line. Even if it means shaking up its partners at the federal level.
Georges-Louis sometimes bothers people, even at the Open VLD. It’s true. But he understands very well how politics works. He is 100%, sometimes even a little beyond… The Open VLD can learn from Georges-Louis, from the way he works. Sometimes you need someone to temper him but, with Sophie Wilmès, they form a good duo, good cop, bad cop. Georges-Louis is a very great value for liberalism in Belgium. In Flanders, he is respected for the clarity of his positions.
gull
The Open VLD can learn from Georges-Louis, from his way of operating.”
Benjamin Biard (Crisp): “The ambiguity between progressivism and conservatism is part of the DNA of the MR”
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