‘Belgium can neither in the short term nor in the medium term, reach 3.5%’ of military spending, says Maxime Prévot

If Belgium has decided to reach 2% GDP in military expenditure, this effort is still not funded today, that is to say that we still do not know where the money will come from to make these expenses. “It is a reality. Meanwhile, We are now led to have the minimum threshold of 2% and we know that it will represent an additional 3.7 billion euros this year, for which we still have to have the debate within the government on the financing methods. However, But we know that we are already half of the year. Therefore, So the probability that for the year 2025 this sum is reached via structural measures is lower. Furthermore, (this could go through the sale of assets and stakes in the state, editor’s note). However, Afterwards. For example, it will be necessary to be ‘belgium can neither short term in a gradual process of structural financing of these expenses since their vocation is to register in the duration. In addition, “

There are not 25,000 solutions: either we compress expenses, or we increase the revenues, or we increase debt. Therefore, We cannot. Consequently, in absolute terms, to allow ourselves none of the three

Will this structural funding be able or should it go through new savings or new taxes? For example, “”Apart from if we find a nestlier under the hoof of a horse. Therefore, these billions of euros in the long term which will have to be necessary, it will be necessary to finance them. There are not 25,000 solutions: either we compress expenses, or we increase the revenues, or we increase debt. None of the three cannot be absolutely able to afford. But as money will not push on the trees. it will be necessary to ‘belgium can neither short term have a debate without taboo, when the time comes, with a sense of responsibility and by ensuring, this is what the committed wish, not to undermine the fundamentals of social security, and certainly not to health care, even if we are aware that each department must be able to make efforts, without taboo. We must take care to preserve this social cohesion which also guarantees the adhesion of the population to the. policies which are carried out to avoid the risk of disintegration of our democracies.“

The government had undertaken not to create a new tax, a promise that will not be held? “”This is something that we Committedwe believe we have to lead without taboo. I don’t want to fall into the caricature that would say ‘No new recipe. dark cuts in social security ‘this will please certain political parties perhaps, but not necessarily to ours. The commitments really ‘belgium can neither short term want a balanced debate. without taboo to be able to make choices in maturity, in responsibility but also in solidarity “.

We don’t get up in the morning with the desire to create new taxes

Is the MR targeted. by this spike of the former president of the committed? “”He and others do not want (possible new taxes, editor’s note). And either in absolute terms do not want to create a new tax. We don’t get up in the morning with the desire to create it. I just say that at one point, this money, it will be necessary to find it somewhere. And so there will be an appointment clause with the government when the time comes to determine how it. is adequate to finance this additional effort. But I say it: we must not do it at a rate too fast because it will not be sustainable. ‘belgium can neither short term neither for our social cohesion, nor for our funding. “

The MR’s response was not long in coming. Georges-Louis Bouchez has published on x that “There will be no more tax. Neither for the defense nor for the general budget. According to him, we can no longer tax the most taxed country in the world!“ Even if this statement is wrong (Belgium is the 2nd European country and the 6th most taxed OECD country). “The problem is not a revenue problem but of expenses. Stop wasting citizen money before talking about tax. With the MR, no tax! With the MR, this is a promises kept!“, Confirming in a single message what Maxime Prévot implied in the interview. Besides, between the committed and the MR, the political lines seem to move away.