Axel Ronse, the floor leader of PM Bart De Wever’s Flemish nationalist N-VA in the chamber of representatives has responded to today’s trade union protests against the new Belgian government.
‘Demonstrators sticking up two fingers to future of teenagers and twenty-somethings’
Colin Clapson
Published:
‘I really wonder why people are demonstrating today,’ says N-VA lawmaker Axel Ronse. ‘For example, we have made it possible for people to retire at the age of 60 if they have worked for 42 years. Actually, the unions should applaud that. Are the unions still standing up for the workers, nurses and teachers who work, or just for the people who don't want to work?’
Mr Ronse defends the cuts announced by the government. ‘We are standing up for today's teenagers and twenty-somethings. They should also have a decent pension, be able to go to the doctor at affordable prices and get a decent education,’ he says. ‘If we do nothing now, the whole social security system will completely collapse. This demonstration is a two fingers up to the future of teenagers and twenty-somethings.’
‘In contrast to all the people who are demonstrating today, there are millions of people at work today who are thinking, ‘Why are these people demonstrating? Let's finally get on with this government. Above all, I see a lot of reasonableness elsewhere and I also think reason will soon return.’