Young VLD has had enough of the attitude of PS chairman Paul Magnette and was therefore proclaimed Blue Kneus 2022 at their annual New Year’s reception, a prize that is awarded annually to someone who, in their opinion, puts politics or liberalism in a bad light.
“Magnette is already in the process of becoming prime minister (in an interview he said he wants to be prime minister, .red), but he should not wait until after 2024 to take responsibility,” the youth wing said in a press release. “Today Magnette is the biggest ally of N-VA and Vlaams Belang. Belgium will only have a future if we reform our country and work together on a high level of activity. If not, the PS can best rename itself Parti Separatiste.”
To reinforce their message, the young liberals went to the PS headquarters on Sunday morning. There they hung a large banner on the facade. “Separatist parties use Magnette’s statements and policies to advocate for an independent Flanders. Magnette thus becomes the gravedigger of Belgium”, says Arthur Orlians, Political Secretary at Jong VLD.
Chairman of Jong VLD, Philippe Nys, calls on the PS chairman to take his responsibility: “The choice for the PS chairman is simple: either he stays stuck in the past and rolls out the red carpet for the extremists and populists. Or he steps into the 21st century, with substantiated economic and fiscal reforms and shows that our country can still be governed in a responsible manner. It is reform today, or split tomorrow with the extremes at the table.”
In addition to the Blue Kneus, Jong VLD traditionally also awards a Blue Giant. This year it went to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.