1. “To Arizona”
We are talking about the coalition formed by the N-VA, the MR, Les Engagés, Vooruit and the CD&V. At this stage, it does not exist since these five parties are still negotiating how they can work together. But everyone uses it, to the point that “Arizona” has become an idea in the process of becoming a reality. The name appeared after the 2019 elections. It refers to the colors of the flag of this eponymous American state.
2. “Significant breakthrough”
On December 20, “lThe King told the trainer that he hoped for a decisive breakthrough at the beginning of 2025. communicated the Royal Palace. On December 29, the Arizona coalition spoke of the need to have a “significant breakthrough” for January 7. In itself, this formula, which evokes as much the progress of a construction site for laying rails under a mountain as access to a fleeting celebrity on social networks after a buzz, says nothing precise. It does not indicate whether it will be necessary to resolve the thorny issue of the taxation of large assets or to obtain an agreement on an increase in the tax on securities accounts. But it gives the image of a step to be taken and of certain progress. This is why it percolates so much in the media sphere.
3. “The broadest shoulders”
This is obviously not a question of physical measurement competitions but of a desire to tax the richest people in the Kingdom more heavily. The very question of wealth being subject to caution (are we talking about capital, heritage, individuals, businesses?), it is easier, particularly for socialists, to communicate on “broad shoulders”which refer to the image of a back capable of supporting a greater load.
4. “Ambiance constructive”
This is a sentence that says a lot without explaining anything. After the series of discussions aborted due to disagreement, there is the idea that the atmosphere at the negotiating table can sometimes be tense. In contrast to this media sentiment, the idea of a “ambiance constructive” directly makes you believe that things are moving forward. Even if this is not necessarily the case.
5. “At the table”
Every day, negotiators leave the table around which they spend hours negotiating. Then they come back to it. Because human existence involves having activities other than operating a permanent seated position around a piece of furniture. And yet, the narrative of the negotiations is full of these references to “the table”. One day we will talk about “return to the negotiating table.” Another time, we will talk about “the files on the table.” It even happens that we urgently discuss the need to “sit around the table” while there is no question of going and stuffing yourself.
6. “A Greek scenario”
No reference here to the filmmaker Costa-Gavras but rather to the public debt crisis that began in 2008 to which this charming Mediterranean country so popular with tourists was the victim. In the years that followed, several international institutions, such as the IMF or the ECB, deployed bailout plans to support Greece’s finances, to the dismay of certain minds less versed in intra-European solidarity. Since then, Greece has regularly been singled out (in particular by trainer Bart De Wever (N-VA)) as the example not to follow.
7. “Rage taxatoire”
Without any proportionality, this metaphor communicates the image of a tax inspector who would come with drooling to empty the pockets of honest citizens until leaving them completely penniless. In contrast, the very liberal-friendly idea of fighting against new taxes is necessarily attractive.
8. “Catalogue of Horrors”
According to our information, the negotiators are not coming “at the table” with brochures compiling images of suffering or guides to the best tortures invented by man. When they talk about “catalog of horrorspoliticians generally bring up new proposals for measures. Mostly tax.
9. “Red line”
This is the element “not to cross” but who sometimes “has been crossed.” In a concrete spatial conception of political interactions, no red lines are drawn on the ground. But this expression is used either when unwelcome remarks have been made at the heart of a discussion, or when proposals defying certain ethical lines have been tabled.at the table.”
10. “Until there is agreement on everything, there is agreement on nothing”
If there is still no federal government, it is in particular because of the concept surrounding this maxim.
