Coronavirus in Belgium: the opposition shoots the governments of the country
They had planned to review in January, but faced with the health emergency, the country’s governments announced on Friday a package of measures to fight an epidemic that they did not survive to control. “Who today still has certainties about the epidemic? Experts, scientists, politicians? I think we should all have the humility to admit that no“, expressed Friday Pierre Yves Jeholet, Minister-President of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.
A disaster in terms of communication
Certain political leaders of the majority have their weakness, but not enough to impress certain members of the opposition. “You clearly reacted too late and far too lightly“, speaks in the Chamber Catherine Fonck, group leader of the Humanist Democratic Center (CDH).”It’s a disaster in terms of communication and membership“, reacts the president of the Independent Federalist Democratic Party (DéFI), François De Smet.
We have a Prime Minister who unfortunately is a bit of a notary
Decisions considered light, but also distinct according to the regions. A month ago, Flanders was still the kingdom of freedom. When the covid safe ticket was compulsory in Brussels, it was not yet compulsory in Wallonia.
The president of DéFI denounces a lack of arbitration. “We have the impression that we have a Prime Minister who is unfortunately a little bit of a notary. He does not arbitrate, because he does not always have all the powers, it is true, but there is also a question of personality and seizure of the moment. He doesn’t punch the table enough with his fist. Neither early enough, we are behind on this fourth table, as we were on the third and the second. Nor firm enough. And all that ends up giving a DIY message», Confides François De Smet.
This crisis, they no longer know how to handle it
DIY: like nightclubs whose government seems to want to keep the opening, then decide to close another. The Belgians are therefore divided. “They are in the dark. This crisis, they no longer know how to handle it“, confides a lady interviewed in Brussels.”I expect my government to take substantive and long-term measures, and not one-off measures like that“, expresses another.”The government is not on top of its decisions, but I believe that there is no government in the world that has really made the best decisions.“, says a man.
Any government in the face of such an uncertain crisis is forced to navigate on sight
“What happens in our country is also found in neighboring countries. So any government facing such an uncertain crisis is forced to navigate on sight», Analyzes Pierre Vercauteren, political scientist at UCLouvain FUCaM Mons.
But at what cost ? Part of the population says they have lost confidence in institutions. Since the onset of the health crisis, democratic regimes around the world have been put to the test.