Will the Vivaldi survive the summer or is it at the end of its life? Many points oppose the MR and Ecolo, arousing the fears of some as to the fate of the federal government. Last clash to date: the 2% of GDP invested for the Defense budget. According to the co-president of Ecolo, there are other priorities, such as the crisis that the Belgians are going through. “The agreement is sufficient,” he said. For Georges-Louis Bouchez, several elements fixed within the framework of this 2% make it possible to justify these investments. On the one hand, the president of the MR points to the effects on the Belgian economy as well as on society, taking the example of hospitals provided for military emergencies but able to treat the Belgian population.
For the two politicians, it is necessary to stick to the agreement of the government. Still, the interpretation differs…”I tell Mr. Nollet to respect the government agreement. This agreement says that we must return to the level of other European countries“, launches the president of the MR. “We are going to respect what is in the February 25 agreement, which reflects what is in the government agreement. A deal is a deal. A month later, it should not be questioned. This is a somewhat recurring problem with Monsieur Bouchez…“, tackle on his side the ecologist. “I am not the Prime Minister, at least not yet”, jokes the liberal. According to him, it is with Alexander De Croo, the guarantor of the agreement, that Jean-Marc Nollet has a problem.
Tax the richest?
For the president of the MR, taxing the richest would amount to sending start-ups abroad. This would therefore represent a significant loss for the Belgian economy, argues the liberal. For his part, the co-president of Ecolo points to the inequalities linked to the current system. “Today, we must correct the inequalities.” “What we are being asked as environmentalists is to protect the middle classes and the lowest incomes,” he continues.
For Georges-Louis Bouchez, “the debate is over if we respect the government”. According to him, Ecolo does not know how to tax the richest in the absence of a cadastre of heritage. “The solution for more equality is to lower taxes. The new taxes always fall on the middle classes! We must also increase the employment rate. If Brussels were a country, it would be the poorest in the EU“, argues the liberal.
Nuclear extension
After months of discussions, two reactors have been extended. But an agreement still needs to be found with Engie. What if there isn’t? For the president of the MR, Minister Vanderstraeten is in “abandonment of post”. “It is the Prime Minister who tries to save the situation, but we have a minister who knowingly sabotaged one of the two voices”. According to the Liberal, the manner in which the Minister of Energy’s file was handled put the government in a bad position to negotiate. However, he considers it possible to reach an agreement with Engie.
For his part, Jean-Marc Nollet ensures that the discussions are going badly. “Engie repeats what it has always said to the Minister of Energy, that they do not want the conditions imposed by the government”. The co-president of Ecolo assures that he wants an agreement, but not “at any price” … Even if it means not finding one. “It may be necessary,” says Nollet.
Despite the many disagreements and these opposing visions, the two politicians still believe it is possible to work together. No early elections in sight, but clashes and controversies are still likely to emerge.