In the interview, which will be published on Tuesday, Mahdi criticizes the position of the PS in the federal government. Asked about the stalled pension file, Mahdi says: “It is a sign of selfishness and a middle finger to all young people. Europe is already withholding 850 million euros in recovery money because the PS has blocked a decent pension reform. We only get that money when it’s in order. And then Magnette is surprised that many Flemish people think that we should bring as many powers as possible to Flanders. If the French speakers do not want to reform, they will become the gravediggers of Belgium.”
Madhi also slaps Georges-Louis Bouchez, president of that other major party in the south, MR, in one move: “Some wear Belgian pins and proudly sing the national anthem, but by letting the country rot, they bring the end closer to it.”
Sammy Mahdi’s lashes come just after two days of commotion in the media about statements made by N-VA chairman Bart De Wever last weekend. He pleaded for more self-government for Flanders via the “extra-legal” route – outside the Constitution.
The fact that the French-speaking parties barely want to move in important federal dossiers has been frustrating Flemish party chairpersons for some time. In March, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open Vld) wants to try again to burn out a major agreement that implements reforms in pensions, taxes and the labor market. However, attempts to do so have failed in recent years. Vooruit chairman Conner Rousseau also got it on his hips in ‘Humo’ at the beginning of January from the French-speaking headwind: “It is true that Brussels and Wallonia are financially in a mess. If they want extra money in 2024, they will have to make major reforms in return. Otherwise, we will not accept that even an extra 1 euro goes to Brussels and Wallonia.”
Open Vld chairman Egbert Lachaert, for his part, warned Paul Magnette last month during a double interview with Vlaams Belang chairman Tom Van Grieken in ‘De Zondag’: “It’s simple, you know: either we are going to make deals now and then move forward together, or we do nothing more and the future winner is sitting here next to me. I hope that Magnette also understands the message well. If he no longer wants to move forward with this government, he will soon have to talk to Tom Van Grieken. If the Walloons don’t cooperate, they will go bankrupt. They should realize that.”