After the strong statements of the CD&V chairman about the Reuzegom trial, divisions are raging within the party. This is also confirmed by Minister of the Interior Annelies Verlinden in VTM News. “It is discussed and there are people with different opinions”, but Verlinden herself believes that her confidence in the rule of law is still as strong.
The verdict in the Reuzegom trial was much discussed last week and it does not seem to come to an end immediately. CD&V chairman Sammy Mahdi, for example, fanned the flame a bit with a TikTok video in which he denounces the “witch hunt” on YouTuber Acid. Acid released the names of some Giant Gommers in one of his videos earlier this week. Mahdi’s fellow party member and interior minister, however, remains steadfast in expressing her confidence in the rule of law and assumes “that everyone in the process has done their job well”.
However, Verlinden’s confidence is at odds with the statements of CD&V chairman Sammy Mahdi, who still question the verdict in the process. “You should explain to me why the sentences that Acid can receive may be higher than the community service that the Reuzegommers have received,” Mahdi said.
My confidence in that verdict has not been damaged because I assume that the magistrates have made a verdict in good conscience
The video causes a lot of division in Wetstraat, but also within their own party, although this happens in silence. Verlinden is also careful in VTM News when Mahdi’s video is discussed. “The role of a party chairman is different from that of a minister. He is a strong communicator and has also posted this video because of the social debate on sanctions.” And that, according to the minister, is a valid debate that can also be held in Parliament. “But my role and conviction as a human being is that I believe in the rule of law and that I believe in the independence of the magistracy, and I want to continue to defend that,” she explains. “My confidence in that verdict has not been damaged because I assume that the magistrates have made a verdict in good conscience.”
There are also people with different opinions within CD&V, the minister says. Not everyone seems equally happy with the statements of their chairman. “I assume that we will discuss that later,” said Verlinden.
Also view the full conversation with Minister Verlinden:
LOOK. Sammy Mahdi denounced the “witch hunt” on Youtuber Acid in a TikTok video after it made some names of Reuzegommers public.
During a manifestation in Brussels, YouTuber Acid responds for the first time to the fuss about video about Reuzegom: “The media did nothing, so I did it myself”
Reuzegommers can file a complaint against Acid, but then they have to step out of anonymity (+)
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