Speaking on the Martelarenplein in Leuven (Flemish Brabant) on May Day, Belgian Health and Social Affairs Minister Frank Vandenbroucke (Flemish socialist Vooruit) lashed out at US President Donald Trump, whom he called ‘Europe’s Opponent’. "He hates the welfare states we have built here. Trump hates the way we work together in Europe and how we think about democracy and solidarity".
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Deputy PM Frank Vandenbroucke lashes out at Donald J. Trump: “He hates the welfare states we have built”
Colin Clapson
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"The Trump administration believes that we in Europe pay the pharmaceutical industry too little for new medicines, that medicines here in Europe should become more expensive, supposedly so that they can be made cheaper in the United States. “If we in Belgium decide to reimburse a medicine, then it is reimbursed for everyone, both poor and rich people. That is why we undertake hard negotiations with the pharmaceutical industry to keep their prices low."
To loud applause, Vandenbroucke, who doubles as Deputy Premier, stated that every effort must be made to preserve our solidarity-based system. “If we want to continue investing in solidarity-based healthcare, then the nation’s budget must made healthy. The capital gains tax is an exceptionally important victory of principle, a real foot between the door, but this is not enough.”
“The millionaire’s tax we are proposing is robust because it is simple and represents a fair contribution from those who possess significant wealth. If we want to distribute the burden fairly, then this must be put on the table. We also want to reform the system of higher health cost reimbursements that some people enjoy to make it more equitable.”