Alexander De Croo (Open VLD) lashes out at coalition partners and N-VA: “They are already spending money on the left, they want to destroy the country on the right”

Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open Vld) has lashed out at some federal coalition partners and the opposition parties on the eve of May 1. “We are the only ones who have our priorities in order. Others are working on duo interviews and coalitions. Can people vote first?” De Croo also launched a striking pension proposal itself.

The eve of May 1 in Blankenberge is traditionally accompanied by a parade of the local Open VLD faction, where Alexander De Croo gave a speech for the second year in a row. And even his federal coalition partners suffered.

All millionaires

A 32-hour working week, as the PS recently suggested? “And this at a time when there are 200,000 jobs looking for people,” says De Croo. “That sounds good, doesn’t it? The Greens want to give unmotivated time credit so that they can travel around the world for free. Who is going to pay for this? All of us, right.” CD&V also had to pay the price. “They believe that we should tax savings extra with an asset register. Those working middle class people have now suddenly all become millionaires.” (read more below the photo)

But De Croo also left no stone unturned for his political opponents, with N-VA in the lead. “They are now even going to build prisons in Kosovo. That’s an idea they stole from Denmark, which has already cost 210 million euros. But not a single prisoner has left for Kosovo yet,” says De Croo. “If you want to make your country a little better, you have to like it a little. N-VA’s confederalism only serves to destroy our country.”

500 euros more pension

Open VLD as the only viable option during the elections in June: that is what De Croo wanted to do. “It’s time to talk about what really matters: people’s jobs, their money in their wallets, and their future. We are the only party to openly put a growth plan on the table two months ago. And we are still waiting for the figures from the other parties. They are of course very busy with duo interviews and forging coalitions, and saying who can and cannot participate after the elections. Can people still vote first? Stop with the balloons and come up with a serious plan. Something that pays our pensions, further puts our budget in order and creates more jobs.”

De Croo himself also came up with a striking proposal. “Anyone can lose their job and then we must show solidarity. But it is not possible for the unemployed to be automatically equated with workers,” the Prime Minister said.

“We don’t just want a difference of 500 euros for workers. This should also be the case with pensions. Someone who worked all their life must always have at least 500 euros more in pension than someone who has not.” To conclude: “On the left they are already spending money, on the right they want to destroy the country. So you need liberals to determine the course. We are the only ones who have our priorities in order.”

READ ALSO. Many blue ideas but one major shortcoming: how credible is Open VLD still?