In the plenary session of the House of Representatives, turmoil arose on Thursday afternoon because Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open Vld) does not answer the questions of the members of parliament about the pension and tax reform himself, but refers them to the line ministers. The opposition, but also the majority party Vooruit, want to hear the position of the prime minister.
Of the 24 questions from members of parliament that are on the agenda on Thursday afternoon during question time in the House, 23 are addressed to the prime minister. This also includes questions about the pension reform bis, which will be discussed in the core cabinet on Friday, and the tax reform.
According to PVDA Member of Parliament Raoul Hedebouw, the factions were informed two minutes before the start of the plenary that the respective line ministers Karine Lalieux and Vincent Van Peteghem would answer those questions, and not Prime Minister Alexander De Croo.
It happens regularly that a question addressed to a certain member of the government is moved to another minister or state secretary. But the opposition insisted on hearing Prime Minister Alexander De Croo’s answer, precisely because there would be disagreement within the government on both subjects. “In this government, the proposals of ministers are immediately shot down by the coalition partners,” said Vlaams Belang party leader Barbara Pas.
N-VA leader Peter De Roover accused De Croo of avoiding his responsibility. “You are giving a manifesto here of incompetence and a lack of accountability, and then you are no longer the prime minister of this government,” he posited.
In addition to the opposition, the majority party Vooruit also thought that the prime minister should answer the questions himself. After all, Vooruit Member of Parliament Joris Vandenbroucke also addressed a question about the tax reform to the Prime Minister.
Peter DeRover
@PeterDeRoover1
“Circus”
The prime minister himself pointed to the House Regulations, which stipulate that it is up to the government to determine who should speak. “On the pension reform, it seems logical to me that the Minister of Pensions answers. That was also the case in the previous legislature,” he said.
De Croo was supported by Open Vld party leader Maggie De Block, who accused the opposition of turning parliament into “a circus”. “It is ridiculous that 23 of the 24 questions are addressed to the prime minister. There are also specialist ministers who are competent enough to speak to the members of the House.”
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