Facing François Gemenne on LN24, Georges-Louis Bouchez defended a clear vision: Belgium must move beyond institutional paralysis and equip itself with a state capable of deciding, reforming and delivering on its priorities.
Asked about the complexity of the Belgian model, our President made a widely shared observation: too many levels of power, too many procedures and political responsibility that is too often diluted. “The Belgian system was designed to create deadlock, because there is always someone who can say no and block the whole system,” he explained.
Reforming in order to decide
For the MR President, Belgium has solid administrations to manage day-to-day affairs. But they struggle to drive the major changes our country needs.
“We have a country built to manage daily life. But today, we need change,” Georges-Louis Bouchez stressed. Faced with the challenges of security, artificial intelligence, climate, growth and public finances, the time has come to set a clear direction rather than settle for compromises that change nothing.
The President summed it up bluntly: “At best, you've done an accounting exercise, but there's no vision, no idea, no drive.”
A leaner government
Georges-Louis Bouchez is calling for a thorough reform of the institutional organisation: larger and therefore stronger municipalities, the abolition of provinces, fewer levels of power and a leaner federal government with 15 ministers, direct election of the Prime Minister, and so on.
“We need municipalities of at least 15,000 inhabitants, the abolition of provinces, and a central government: 15 ministers, a directly elected Prime Minister.”
The aim is not just to cut the cost of politics. It is above all to gain efficiency, clarify responsibilities, and stop everyone passing the buck between the federal level, the Regions, the Communities, the municipalities or the provinces.
Priorities: security and prosperity
The MR President also reminded us that the state must rediscover a sense of priorities. Two urgent issues stand out today: security and prosperity.
“There is a security problem in quite a few major cities, particularly in Brussels. And second, we have a problem of growth, investment and purchasing power.”
Our President rejects a Belgium that merely manages scarcity or raises taxes. He champions a policy that restores order, supports investment, reduces burdens and creates the conditions for sustainable growth.
“If you want to revive growth, we need more investment,” Georges-Louis Bouchez insisted. It is this vision, a state that is stronger in its essential missions, yet simpler, more responsible and more efficient, that the MR champions for the country's future.