Friday, during the meeting which followed the visit of trainer Bart De Wever to the King, discussions got out of hand when it came to tackling taxation. “It is always in the context of tax files that things become complicated, that there are tensions”contextualizes a French-speaking negotiator.
Copyright in tech
There were first exchanges between the president of the MR, Georges-Louis Bouchez, and his Flemish counterpart, Conner Rousseau (Vooruit). “Very harsh words” were exchanged. Several sources of different political colors present that evening at the Palais de la Nation report that things really got heated when discussions focused on copyright reform, a legislative project implemented by Finance Minister Vincent Van Peteghem (CD&V) which financially impacts several professions, including software developers.
Georges-Louis Bouchez sharply threatened Vincent Van Peteghem. “I will personally ensure that you never become finance minister again.”he allegedly told her, according to Flemish media. It was one word too many for Sammy Mahdi. The president of the CD&V then personally intervened to defend his minister and inform him that his statements were “inconvenient”.
Federal formation: Six months after the elections, De Wever still on the trail but empty-handed
“Trop is too much!”comments a source present during the clash. “Georges-Louis Bouchez does not realize the antipathy he generates among certain presidents by acting in this way. It is normal that the debate on certain matters can be blocked. We must then look for solutions. But we started with something completely different. Personal attacks are not okay. We have to contain ourselves. What he said to Van Peteghem was outrageous.”
GLB takes the Black Jack
During the weekend, the image of Georges-Louis Bouchez alone against everyone spread in the Flemish press. His bloodshed was particularly unwelcome and his attitude presented by many commentators as the element blocking the negotiations. To use the popular expression, the president of the MR had, once again, inherited the Black Jack.
But was this charge completely deserved? On the liberal side, we feel this story as coming from a group attack by the Flemish parties against the most right-wing party of the group. But we stick to our positions: the leader's choice has always been to avoid new tax burdens in one of the most taxed countries in the world and he is not going to give in in the face of media pressure.
At the party, we are told that the demand has not changed since the start of negotiations (July). The Reformers want reforms, less taxes and less public spending, while the CD&V and Vooruit would demand the opposite. “This line has led us to receive many messages of support from the Flemish side. They tell us: “hold on”. What the Flemings want is less taxes. And the parties that represent them don't realize it.”
Under Vivaldi, David Clarinval, Mathieu Michel and Georges-Louis Bouchez fought to exclude the IT sector from copyright reform. As Minister of Finance, Vincent Van Peteghem did not respect this request. Friday, the president of the MR demanded that the new team return to this issue. And that's what caused the sparks to fly.
Tensions were so high that the next day, President Sammy Mahdi posted this quip on Instagram: “It was less violent here than at the negotiating table”he put in his story with an image of the boxing match he was attending.
On Monday, a new constructive spirit seemed to have returned. With any luck, the goal set by King Philip of having an agreement by January 7 will be achieved.
