On 12 March, Brussels and Walloon MPs Aurélie Czekalski and Olivier Maroy took part in the meeting of the Global Parliamentary Network of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In this framework of interparliamentary cooperation, parliamentarians from numerous countries and experts debated the economic, energy and geopolitical challenges that will directly affect the daily lives of Belgian and European citizens. Two major issues were at the heart of the discussions:
• the energy transition;
• the securing of critical minerals essential to our technologies and to this transition.
Our MPs brought a liberal voice to this international parliamentary network, defending purchasing power, security of supply and a realistic energy transition.
Towards an “age of electricity” that remains affordable for everyone
Around the world, demand for electricity is rising sharply, driven by our industries, electric mobility, heating systems, but also by the explosion of digital use and artificial intelligence.
For Aurélie Czekalski, this shift heralds a genuine new “age of electricity”, offering opportunities but also risks if public authorities do not fully play their role. She pointed out that:
• major investments are already being made in production (nuclear, wind, solar, etc.);
• but that electricity grids and flexibility solutions (storage, smart demand management, batteries, etc.) do not always keep pace.
Without sufficient investment in the grids and without a clear framework, this shift can translate very concretely into higher prices for households, self-employed people and businesses. This is precisely what the MR wants to avoid.
A clear framework to protect consumers and ease pressure on bills
Within this interparliamentary network, Aurélie Czekalski and Olivier Maroy defended a responsible and pragmatic vision of the energy transition. They warned against overly complex or unbalanced regulatory frameworks, which can:
• reduce the number of suppliers on the energy market;
• hinder innovation and new services (self-consumption, home storage, dynamic pricing, etc.);
• ultimately harm the consumer, who loses choice, flexibility, bargaining power… and sees their bill rise.
For the MR, the challenge is to strike a clear balance:
• guarantee affordable and accessible energy and electricity for everyone;
• preserve an economically viable model for operators, so they can continue investing in grids, clean technologies and security of supply.
Critical minerals: behind our smartphones, a global battle
The other essential topic discussed at the OECD concerns critical minerals: those raw materials (lithium, cobalt, nickel, rare earths, etc.) we need to make batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, smartphones or electric vehicles.
Globally, the production and trade of these materials are increasingly concentrated in a few countries, creating strategic dependencies and risks for our supply chains. Demand is exploding with the energy transition, and geopolitical tensions around these resources are multiplying. The OECD stresses that the exploitation of these minerals must take place within a framework of good governance, with clear rules to protect human rights, the environment and local populations, while securing stable and predictable value chains for businesses.
Walloon MP Olivier Maroy stressed two central priorities for Europe and our country:
• diversifying supply sources, so that Europe is not dependent on a single country or region;
• developing recycling and the circular economy, in order to recover more metals from end-of-life equipment and reduce our environmental footprint.
For Aurélie Czekalski, a credible European strategy on critical minerals is essential to secure our energy transition, avoid disruptions and price shocks, and thus also protect purchasing power.
What the MR is defending for citizens
Behind these OECD debates lie very concrete issues for every household, every self-employed person, every business in Belgium:
• The energy bill: more open, transparent and better regulated markets are the best guarantee to keep prices in check and offer consumers real choices.
• Security of supply: diversifying energy and mineral sources, investing in grids and securing value chains are essential to avoid disruptions, crises and price shocks.
• Purchasing power and employment: competitive energy is a key factor for industry, innovation and the attractiveness of our regions, and therefore for creating and maintaining jobs.
• Climate and quality of life: the energy transition must sustainably reduce our CO2 emissions, without unfairly burdening the most vulnerable households with the cost.
Through its representatives, the MR advocates, in a spirit of interparliamentary cooperation, for:
• smart rules rather than layers of constraints;
• an open economy that secures our supplies and encourages innovation;
• a realistic energy transition that is socially fair, economically sustainable and compatible with affordable electricity.
It is in this spirit that Aurélie Czekalski and Olivier Maroy carry the voice of the MR within the OECD's Global Parliamentary Network: so that tomorrow's major decisions translate into concrete progress today, on energy bills, on security of supply and on citizens' quality of life.