There is a sigh of relief in the Wetstraat, or at least among the majority parties. The federal budget is complete: the government has decided, among other things, that the energy discount of 196 euros per month will be extended and that the ministers will surrender 8 percent of their wages. That sounds good, but opinions about the budget are very divided. Here you will find a response overview of both the ministers who have been negotiating all night and the opposition leaders.
Minister of Health Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit) starts off and says very satisfied with the agreement: “This is a very good agreement. Thanks to the budget, we continue to take measures to help people who are struggling with their energy bills.” For example, he is very satisfied that the entire energy package will be extended until after the winter and he talks about a possible extension if prices remain high. “It is good that we are moving away from that unjust, blind and linear VAT rule of 21 percent on gas and electricity. We are now going to replace that with a system where people are protected against these high prices.” Vandenbroucke also argued for a tax shift in which lower wages are taxed less, but that measure did not pass.
Minister of Finance, Vincent Van Peteghem (CD&V), is also enthusiastic about the agreement: “Hard times sometimes lead to hard discussions, but I am proud that we are quickly taking a first step in the crucial tax reform. A reform that creates more net for everyone.” He is also very satisfied with the extension of the energy support measures: “We are making the VAT reduction on gas and electricity permanent and protecting people against a new price storm. We are also extending the basic package until the end of March”.
Civil Service Minister Petra De Sutter (Green) is almost the only minister who is modest about the agreement, but says that important decisions have been made. “It is not easy to negotiate with seven parties around a table and differing visions. They are indeed not major changes, but we should not minimize this. These are steps in the right direction.”
Energy Minister Tine Van Der Straeten (Green) is very happy that steps have been taken to tackle excess profits of energy companies: “We have an agreement to tackle huge profits in the energy sector. We go beyond what Europe asks to support our families and businesses more and longer.” Her party leader Jeremie Vaneeckhout would like to thank all parties that contributed to the budget: “Every politician pushes policy, that is the essence of democracy. But working together is equally essential, so thank you to all partners for that. The work is not finished, bluvn goan!”
Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne (Open VLD) also seems happy with the budget and mainly emphasizes the liberal decisions that have been taken, such as a reduction in wage costs for companies. “3.6 billion effort. With support for citizens & companies. This is a good package,” he said on Twitter. Prime Minister Alexander Decroo is also satisfied with the agreement and summarizes it with: “We will not let anyone go”.
Pierre Yves Dermagne (PS), Minister of Work and Economy, is very satisfied with the social decisions that have been taken: “We let the ‘strongest shoulders’ contribute more. It is not for the most vulnerable to make the extra effort.” Dermagne expressed his joy on twitter about measures such as the bank tax that should bring in 125 million.
Opposition
With the opposition we hear a completely different story. It almost seems as if the majority and the opposition have a different document in mind. NVA chairman Bart De Wever is deeply disappointed in the budget: “Belgium has the highest government expenditure, the highest tax burden and the largest structural deficit in the EU. With this non-budget, the federal government ensures that we achieve those three dubious prices with even more brilliance. Completely irresponsible.” Party colleague Theo Francken is a little more cryptic and shares a photo of 500 euro notes with the head of Prime Minister De Croo.
This budget is also disappointing for PVDA leader Peter Mertens: “Invoices increase by 5 to 600 euros per month. Then you won’t jump far with a winter check five times. Why does the government not dare to lower and block prices, as in France? A price block is a structural measure: for families, for the self-employed, for SMEs”.
For Vlaams Belang, savings are being made on the wrong things. Federal parliamentary group leader of Vlaams Belang, Barabara Pas, is deeply disappointed: “With this purple-green Vivaldi government, there will be no much-needed structural reform. This government also saves once again on our people, and not on asylum, on transfers and on the political system itself.”
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