Ahmed Laaouej (PS) on the negotiations in Molenbeek, Schaerbeek and Forest: “This could come to fruition with the PTB”

Paul Magnette (president of the PS) put his veto against Fouad Ahidar. Are you on the same line?

I am not going to set a rigid framework which does not take into account the complexity of the Molenbeek situation. There is a message sent, then there are the realities. The arithmetic means that we don’t know how this will end up. The PTB has never been an appropriate partner for us either. For years, PTB members have vetoed, saying that they would never participate in majorities if we did not modify international treaties, etc. Today they are in a different attitude. On the other hand, this party has no management experience. And what guarantees us that they will not be in a “participation-opposition” strategy?

You have the reputation of not being a fan of the PTB. Would you give the green light, despite everything?

I knew the PTB as group leader in the Federal Parliament. They were on autopilot in their permanent attacks against the PS, and factors of division of the left. There are real differences, like on the question of the Uighurs in China. But there is also a real closeness with them on certain themes. The chat channel is open. This could come to fruition with the PTB, but some things need to be clarified. The real question concerns the capacity of this party to be a reliable partner over time.

Here is why the PS/PTB negotiations could accelerate at the start of next week in Schaerbeek, Forest and Molenbeek

In Forest or Molenbeek, the PS favors the PTB as a future partner. Is this also the case in Schaerbeek?

The canal has just been opened in Schaerbeek. It will be followed by discussions. The option is clearly on the table and it is very serious.

The president of the MR, Georges-Louis Bouchez, threatened you with repercussions in the event of an agreement with the PTB. Is the PS-MR-Engagés axis threatened at the level of the next Brussels regional government?

If he thinks he is impressing the PS with threats, he is seriously mistaken. I don’t mix power levels.

A proposed order from the MR and the PS has just been tabled to partially return to the decumulation of mandates. Do you want, like David Leisterh (leader of the Brussels MR), to be able to keep your position as mayor warm if you decide to no longer be a deputy (or minister)? Can the proposal succeed while the Committed are against it?

We will have a parliamentary discussion about it and we will see what comes out of it. But it is a copy of what is done in Flanders. This seems to me to be an entirely appropriate formula for resolving certain situations and, above all, ensuring that the installation of municipal councils in December can take place under good conditions.

The Brussels PS performed better than the Walloon PS, even though you were said to be threatened at the start of the year. Do you feel strengthened internally?

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I have defied many predictions. But it is the party that is strengthened. I am happy with the performance of the PS in Brussels and Wallonia. We were warned of a disaster, but we are resisting well, especially in the big cities. In Wallonia, all decisions that will be taken by the Walloon government and Arizona (the future federal majority, Editor’s note) will constitute a moment of truth. People will open their eyes, like after the Martens-Gol governments or the Michel government. Because everything that was sold to them – a program favorable to work and the middle classes – is nothing other than a new social bloodbath which will attack the public service and the most deprived. For example, I see the Walloon government’s desire to call into question the almost free TEC for young people. I say it clearly: it is out of the question for the PS to call into question the Stib subscription (Brussels public transport) at 1 euro for young people and seniors. What was decided in Wallonia will not pass with the PS in Brussels.

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