" I am Western and I defend our Western interests with conviction ", said MR President Georges-Louis Bouchez before a packed lecture hall at the ULB. " This also highlights a major difference between the left and the right. Because part of the left hates the West, our free-market economy and liberal democracy. "
"They say America is the enemy. But do they realise how much solidarity the United States is showing by supporting Ukraine? Without American military aid, we would have no chance," explained Mr Bouchez. "The biggest problem is that Europe no longer has autonomy. Militarily, we need American protection. For energy, we depend on Russia and Arab countries. And for industry, technology and strategic raw materials, our fate is in China's hands. We must therefore invest in defence, new nuclear power plants, industry and mining. That is the only way for Europe to regain its sovereignty." Loud applause rang out in the hall.
Regarding security in Brussels, the President stated: "This is a matter of political choices. Security is an absolute priority for the MR. Thanks to the merger of the six police zones, many more officers will be able to devote themselves to specific missions."
Many job vacancies
Another problem is the low employment rate in Brussels. "It ranges between 64 and 66%," Mr Bouchez specified. "Brussels residents have the same abilities as Flemings and people in our neighbouring countries. But in Flanders the employment rate is 77%, in the Netherlands 83% and in Germany 82%. Ending unemployment benefits after two years will encourage people to go back to work. No other country in the world has copied our system of lifelong benefits for the unemployed."
And yet there is no shortage of job vacancies. "Every year there are 350,000 open positions. So plenty of opportunities to find a job. Unfortunately, 175,000 positions in shortage occupations remain unfilled."
Mr Bouchez stayed until just before midnight to answer all the students' questions.