In an interview for L’Echo published on 24October, Deputy Prime Minister David Clarinval reiterated the MR's position as the federal budget negotiations entered a decisive week. “Taking VAT off the table isn't a victory, it's common sense.”
The Deputy Prime Minister stresses that the current proposal does not comply with the government agreement, which sets a maximum of one-ninth in taxes within the budgetary effort. The party is therefore calling for a reduction in the tax burden. He points out that Belgians already pay too much tax and that further increases would be counterproductive.
First implement the reforms already decided
The MR is calling for the expected revenues from reforms already decided—the “zero line”—to actually materialise. According to David Clarinval, taxes that have been voted apply immediately, while reforms fall behind schedule. He cites the return to work of the long-term sick: a year's delay and a shortfall of €234million. The current budget table factors in €2.3billion on this front, but the MR believes more can be done.
A genuine growth plan
The party is calling for an ambitious growth plan to be included in the budget table. In a context of sluggish growth, where industries are closing and jobs are being lost, investing €1.5billion could generate a 0.5percentage point gain in GDP by 2029,
Defending business-friendly measures
To those who speak of “handouts to businesses”, David Clarinval responds that the identified tax measures, worth 2 to 3billion euros, such as the withholding tax exemption for researchers or for night and shift work, help keep high-value-added talent in Belgium. He warns: without this support, “it won't be one GSK, but ten” that we risk losing.
Healthcare: reforms that must continue
While social security has been protected so far, the Deputy Prime Minister believes that healthcare spending structurally exceeds revenue, with no correction planned. He is calling, among other things, for an asset check by health insurance funds before granting increased reimbursement status (BIM), in order to limit abuses.