The MR is touring all week to present its New Year's wishes. A special tour this year, as it is the last one before elections at every level of power. This tour is therefore also an opportunity to introduce the faces who will lead the liberal ranks on the various lists.
As every year at this time, the MR is touring across Wallonia and Brussels to present its New Year's wishes. This tour will mobilise liberal forces for a week and is expected to bring together nearly 5,000 people. The kick-off took place at the Aula Magna in Louvain-La-Neuve this Sunday, 7 January.
Find all the dates of the New Year's tour and sign up here
This New Year's gathering in Walloon Brabant was also a congress entitled “The future comes into focus”, the MR's promise for this upcoming election year. Interspersed with videos presenting the liberal priorities for this year, highlighting young people, who will play an important role this year since it will be possible to vote in the European elections from the age of 16, or allowing liberal ministers or elected representatives from Walloon Brabant to present their wishes, this congress was marked by numerous speeches.
Jean-Paul Wahl, President of the MR Federation of Walloon Brabant, first commended the party's strong form in the province and called for even more, particularly by enabling the MR to win the mayoralty of Ottignies-Louvain-La-Neuve next October.
Germain Dalne, President of the Jeunes MR Walloon Brabant, then paid tribute to triathlete Alexandra Tondeur, who compared elite sport to politics, both activities requiring passion and commitment, with no guarantee of results, yet with the determination to make the world a better place.
Xavier Bettel, former Luxembourg Prime Minister and current Minister for Foreign Affairs, was the guest of honour at this gathering. He delivered a powerful message on liberal and European values, warning against the dangers of extremism, whether from the left or the right. “Let us never forget our history. The simplest solutions are the wrong ones. Those who make promises but are not prepared to take on responsibilities are deceiving you and are a danger to our democracy. Think before you vote. It is the liberal project and its values that built the European Union, in which diversity and freedom are the norm.”
Hadja Lahbib, Minister for Foreign Affairs, is playing a leading role as part of Belgium's presidency of the Council of the European Union, a responsibility our country has held since 1 January. “The secret of the European symphony: protect, strengthen, prepare,” she says. “Protect our borders, guarantee security, consolidate the prosperity built together through hard work. Strengthen our economy. In Belgium, we have world leaders. Prepare the future of a European Union that protects its citizens and opens up to the world.”
MR President Georges-Louis Bouchez then took the stage to honour two long-serving liberal activists from Walloon Brabant. He then introduced the MR's lead candidates in Walloon Brabant. Valérie De Bue will lead the regional list. “It is a great honour and a great responsibility,” she says. “We want to defend a record I am proud of, and above all to defend strong proposals for Wallonia. Walloon Brabant is the cradle of liberalism and is known for its prosperity. Our momentum must inspire the whole of Wallonia. Politics is about commitment, passion, availability, listening. Doing politics is a marathon, but the campaign is a sprint. We will meet this challenge together.” The federal list will be led by Waterloo's MP-mayor Florence Reuter, followed by Secretary of State Mathieu Michel. “I have been committed to defending liberal values for 17 years,” says Florence Reuter. “We must constantly remind people why it is important to be liberal, because extremism, whether from the left or the right, is dangerous and threatens our fundamental values. I am aware of the scale of the challenge, given that I am succeeding Charles Michel, who was lead candidate in 2019. But it will be a team effort.” For his part, Mathieu Michel said: “History has shown us that, starting from a situation fairly similar to that of Hainaut, results can be tripled and liberal values can triumph. Walloon Brabant shows that liberal recipes work.”
Georges-Louis Bouchez then confirmed that Charles Michel would lead the European list. “What normally constituted party, with the President of the European Council in its ranks, would not entrust him with the lead position on the European list? Who is better placed to speak about Europe? Who better than Charles Michel to lead the MR in this election?” he said. Charles Michel shared his vision for Europe: “Europe is democracy that guarantees human rights. It is prosperity through cooperation and economic integration. It is security and peace through mutual respect. It is unity in diversity. I have decided to stand as a candidate to meet citizens, to listen, to debate, to defend, to protect. We want a Europe that respects and commands respect, that develops its sovereignty and its power.”
Georges-Louis Bouchez then closed the congress with a rallying speech, after listing a few major liberal priorities: reducing public spending, education, valuing work, energy and climate. “We must look to the future with enthusiasm. Not the naive enthusiasm of those who think everything will be fine, but the enthusiasm of those who work and refuse fatalism. We must increase our number of MPs and votes. We must not set ourselves limits. I can feel your energy and your desire to fight. I ask you, for the next six months, to be on the streets, in businesses, with the people. Citizens are waiting for the liberal project but know little about our objectives or are constrained by family habits. So get out into the field and don't let up. With the MR in 2024, the lines will be clear. Onward to victory. Let us be proud to be liberals!”
Find the full transcript of the MR President's speech here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLyiWymzfDY&t=866s