This week, Jacqueline Galant and Georges-Louis Bouchez take a stand against Céline Tellier's handling of the matter
Following the recent elections, in which the MR strengthened its presence in the Walloon Parliament, voices are calling for accountability over the handling of sensitive environmental issues, particularly PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Jacqueline Galant proposed setting up a parliamentary commission of inquiry to thoroughly examine how the previous authorities handled this matter.
PFAS, often called “forever chemicals” because of their persistence in the environment, represent a major concern for public health and the environment. The urgency of this issue is underlined by the fact that adequate measures appear to have been lacking since the problem was first identified in Wallonia.
This comes in a context where responsibilities must be clearly established. "The new Walloon Parliament will have to tackle this issue head-on and ensure full clarity on how this crisis was handled," said Jacqueline Galant in an interview on LN24.
Georges-Louis Bouchez did not hold back in openly denouncing the attitude of outgoing Environment Minister Céline Tellier, who he said had completely shirked her responsibilities. "It's staggering, she took no adequate action since 2021! Her responsibility is enormous and could even go beyond the political sphere," he stated, adding that "this irresponsibility on the part of the Greens was clearly punished at the ballot box, but that doesn't absolve them of everything."
Setting up such a commission could not only clarify levels of responsibility but also establish guidelines for future management of environmental crises in Wallonia. The MR is determined to push for greater transparency and effectiveness in tackling environmental issues, which are becoming increasingly central to regional and national policy.