Fresh Minister of the Interior and Institutional Reforms Annelies Verlinden (CD&V) does not rule out the possibility that powers will again be transferred to the federal level in a state reform.
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Verlinden, the white rabbit of CD&V chairman Joachim Coens, was a guest at Saturday The morning on Radio 1, her very first comprehensive interview as a minister. There she let slip that a state reform can take place for her in both directions, even though her party mainly wants to place more powers with the regions.
‘State reform must go in the right direction, we must look for the most optimal state structure,’ said Verlinden. ‘It is no secret that my party does not prefer to refederalize, that is a clear party position, but there should be no taboos. It is also respectful to enter into this broad democratic debate with an open mind and to listen to all points of view. ‘
Verlinden also believes that N-VA should be involved in this state reform. ‘I am happy to reach out to the N-VA to do that together. This is a sensitive topic for them, but also for us. With homogeneous competence packages you can pursue a decisive policy. But that debate can only succeed without preliminary references. ‘
Verlinden was also involved in the Arco case as a lawyer. According to her, it is only logical that not a word about Arco is mentioned in the coalition agreement. ‘We live in a constitutional state, procedures are pending and the courts will judge there independently. That is why it is inappropriate to make special arrangements about this in a coalition agreement, ‘says Verlinden.
CD&V party leader Servais Verherstraeten had already stated on Friday during the debate on the federal government statement that the government will only take a position on the Arco file once the legal proceedings surrounding the file are over.
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