LIVE. Gwendolyn Rutten (Open VLD) succeeds Bart Somers as Flemish minister

“I understand that many people will see it that way. Everyone experiences these moments when you say: I draw the line here, it has been good. But it is equally important that when circumstances change and the demand is there to to use knowledge and expertise, and then say: I will get over that and I will do that.”

“You cannot predict it. The choice I make is a choice for responsibility. The choice for impact for a government that I negotiated with. I find it an honor to be able to do this. I will start working from day one “I know the files. I know the government. I know the functioning of the government. Still 200 days (until the elections, ed.) to go.”

“It (after the appointment of Paul Van Tigchelt, ed.) was a very difficult moment. We should not be shy about that. I thought the way things were done was not the way I approach life. what happened this time, not only with me, has left a completely different impression. I also have to look into my own heart: maybe I reacted too harshly. I’m only human. But that was how I felt on that moment.”