The reception Georges-Louis Bouchez received on Tuesday in Sint-Martens-Latem was as warm as the weather. It remains surprising how a Walloon politician from Mons can generate such enthusiasm in Flanders. Proof that what you say matters more than the language you say it in.
There were more than a hundred business leaders from East and West Flanders who had come to the lovely Auberge du Pêcheur. On the banks of the Leie, the MR President dodged no question. Not even the one on the introduction of a capital gains tax, on which an agreement had been reached in government the day before: “I didn't want that tax. You know I hate taxes. But it was the price I had to pay to be able to carry out major reforms. So I own it.”
“Since the elections of 9 June, I have thought of only one thing: we must make something of our victory. I had to weigh every interest against another. Without the concession on the capital gains tax, there would have been no reform government. And then the PS would have come back on board and we would have been unable to do anything,” Bouchez said openly. “Who would have thought we would abolish unemployment benefits after two years? No one. We're making sure working people take home more net pay and we're cutting costs for businesses. We're producing affordable electricity because the nuclear plants stay open. Foreign prisoners are being sent back to their home countries.”
Minister of Employment David Clarinval will implement two hundred reforms on his own. “The notice period will no longer be able to exceed one year. For everyone, including MPs. And to get as many long-term sick people as possible back to work, all parties involved will be held accountable. Not just the workers themselves and employers, but also doctors who write false sick notes and health insurance funds for whom illness is often a business model. Finally, we're capping social benefits, so that someone who works always earns €500 more than someone who doesn't.”
The best way to fight the far right is to name the problems and take action. “We're being stricter about granting Belgian nationality. The criteria for family reunification are being tightened. Repeat offenders will now have to serve at least 75% of their sentence instead of a third. And thanks to fast-track procedures, we can hand down effective sentences more quickly,” Bouchez explained.
And the budget? “The government spends 57% of our GDP every year. That's 330 billion! The state must stop handing out subsidies for everything under the sun. The state must also stop wanting to shoulder every personal life choice. There are too many structures and politicians, without policy ever being evaluated.”
Support
“The government has now been in place for five months. Within two years, we need to vote through all the major reforms. To really change things. Bart De Wever and I agree on 96% of issues. If we succeed together, there may no longer be any separatism afterwards.”
The MR President also made an appeal to entrepreneurs: “We need your support. You must remain demanding and keep making your voice heard. Keep investing in our country. Together, we will carry out reforms that no one thought possible anymore. With employers, workers and policymakers.”
GLB received a warm round of applause. He stayed late into the evening chatting, enjoyed the enthusiastic reactions and smiled for every photo.