Zuhal Demir — © BELGA
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Flemish Energy Minister Zuhal Demir (N-VA) wants to invest up to 200 million euros next year to bring down the sky-high energy bills. She announced this on Monday in an interview with the VRT and was confirmed to our editors. Its proposals have yet to be discussed at the Flemish Council of Ministers.
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jvh, brainSource: BELGIAN
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“Over the past two years we have already removed a number of things from that energy bill (…) And I have always said that if I can still get things out of it, I will continue to do so. And that is why I have now submitted a number of proposals to my colleagues in the Flemish government. We are now going to look at it together, and that way we can get an amount of 170 to 200 million from that invoice next year. The intention is that Flemish families and singles will also feel that,” says Demir.
It is not yet clear how much discount or reduction consumers will receive on their energy bill as a result of these Flemish measures.
Opposition not impressed
MP Bert Wollants (N-VA) criticizes that the government is opening the portfolio to the 20 percent of people who enjoy the social rate, but leave the other 80 percent out in the cold. “It is clear who is allowed to pay in the purple-green story: everyone who works and does business and they can still be found mainly in Flanders,” says Wollants.
Reccino Van Lommel (Vlaams Belang) talks about alms. “However, with a one-time discount of 80 euros you are not much if your monthly advance has been doubled to 180 euros. And the Flemish middle class – which was already squeezed like a lemon before this energy crisis – can simply pat it on the chin.” The far-right party wants all hidden taxes and charges to be removed from the energy bill and moved to the general budget. In addition, the VAT rate must fall from 21 to 6 percent.
That is also the opinion of the extreme left PVDA. “A VAT reduction to 6 percent would immediately reduce the invoice by 347 euros,” says party chairman Peter Mertens. “All families and working people today are victims of the energy prices that are going through the roof. We pay an average of 714 euros more, calculated the CREG. What do these ministers think they can solve with a discount of barely 80 euros for only the most vulnerable?”
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