The revision of Article 195 of the Constitution, adopted8-127 in the plenary session this Friday 3 April in the Senate, is not a technical adjustment. It constitutes the first steps of a profound transformation of the architecture of our federal State. Yet since the beginning of the legislature, the Dutch-speaking partners of the majority have wanted to push forward on this file at a forced pace. The MR group in the Senate has always remained loyal to the Arizona majority agreement. However, the methodology used in this file has multiplied areas of uncertainty, to the point of creating an unacceptable situation: the risk that this reform would only be adopted with the support of the extreme parties.
We have said it, repeated it and denounced it several times. This last-minute uncertainty is no surprise: it is the direct consequence of a working method we have contested throughout the process.
The MR has an unwavering historical tradition: it refuses to ally itself with the extremes to get any text adopted, whatever it may be. The government agreement is explicit on this point: institutional reforms must be adopted without the support of extreme votes.
As MR President Georges-Louis Bouchez reiterated this Thursday in the Chamber, this red line is non-negotiable. It is precisely for this reason that the MR group in the Senate decided to abstain.
"Under no circumstances can the MR be associated with a vote made possible by the votes of the extremes. Our abstention is a strong signal to our majority partners: you do not govern with the extremes, neither closely nor from a distance." Gaëtan Van Goidsenhoven, MR group leader in the Senate
Jean-Paul Wahl, MR senator, points out: " Beyond the vote itself, the MR intends to set clear markers for the rest of the process:
- Firstly, and this is non-negotiable, a clear and lasting solution must be found for the representation of the German-speaking Community, which loses its only representation at federal level with the abolition of the Senate. The Prime Minister has committed to this. The MR will be uncompromising on this point.
- Secondly, the guarantee that the communities and regions have a solid role in the amendment of special laws and the structure of the State.
- Finally, we will never rely on the votes of the extremes."
The MR group calls on the partners of the Arizona agreement to return to a constructive working method, respectful of the democratic principles and commitments underpinning our coalition. The MR group's abstention is a strong political signal: we honour our commitments, but demand in return method, consistency and mutual respect.