Open VLD chairman Lachaert about tax reform: “Our ambition is greater than a shift in taxes” | VTM News

In an interview with ‘Het Nieuwsblad’, Open VLD chairman Egbert Lachaert, party member of Prime Minister De Croo, stated that “the major reform that will make people happy – and with which you will levy less taxes – is for later”. With this he seemed to bury the tax reform for which Minister of Finance Vincent Van Peteghem (CD&V) is preparing.

In a tweet, Lachaert subsequently nuanced the tenor of the interview. “Bury tax reform? Not at all,” he wrote. “If you want a tax reform in 2024, you have to start it NOW. First step now we will also support. It just shouldn’t be a pocket-to-pocket operation with unfortunate consequences.”

He repeated that message to his colleagues at VTM NEWS. “Our ambition is bigger than a shift in taxes. In the long term, the tax should fall for those who work, save and do business. This is only possible with a more efficient government. Flemish, federal and local, so that people have to pay less taxes,” says Lachaert.

The criticism of the Vivaldi government dismisses the liberal. “This government has pulled us through two crises. The economic growth provides an extra 7 billion in the budget. Justice tackles drug mafia. We have energy security. We can be proud”, says Lachaert.

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Party fellow Prime Minister Alexander De Croo also proclaimed that message in ‘De Zevende Dag’. De Croo stated on Sunday that his government can take the first steps. However, they should not encumber the budget. “We must continue to work very disciplined to ensure that the path towards a sound budget is maintained,” said the prime minister.

He is “ideologically in favor” of a tax cut, but today’s budgetary conditions do not allow it. “I’m not a big fan of taking payback effects into account.”

In addition, those first steps should ensure that “the people who make this country run benefit, not suffer.” At the same time, De Croo warns that with a tax shift, the emphasis is always placed on the people who benefit from it. By definition, a tax shift ensures that the burden is reduced for some, but that the burden is increased for others, the prime minister explained. “And they are silent about those who are going to get a raise.”