Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo has issued a sincere apology through a noteworthy letter published in various newspapers across the country on July 22, 2023. The letter addresses

the continuous bickering and discord among Belgian politicians in recent months.

In the letter, which was presented as an advertorial and featured a full-page photograph of the Prime Minister, De Croo opens with the salutation "Dear Belgians" and expresses his disappointment at the prevailing trend of politicians resorting to arguments instead of cooperation. He emphasizes that this was not his vision when he assumed office three years ago. The Prime Minister denounces the harsh treatment politicians often subject each other to and laments the lack of teamwork, pointing out instances where politicians have focused on complaining rather than offering solutions.

Acknowledging his own shortcomings, De Croo admits that politicians can sometimes become so self-absorbed that they lose sight of their responsibilities to the people they serve. He expresses regret for his own mistakes but insists that taking responsibility is not enough; rather, politics must strive for improvement if they are to build a better country.

De Croo advocates for politics that match the strength of the Belgian people, with politicians unafraid of collaborating and finding common ground. He emphasizes the importance of achieving results rather than obstructing progress. The Prime Minister concludes his letter by pledging to work towards fostering greater cooperation among politicians.

The letter comes at a time when the Belgian federal government faces challenges in reaching an agreement on a much-awaited tax reform package. Finance Minister Vincent Van Peteghem's proposed tax reform has encountered obstacles during negotiations, leading to significant revisions and reservations from coalition members.

The Flemish government has also witnessed internal discord surrounding Environment Minister Zuhal Demir's nitrogen decree, aimed at reducing nitrogen emissions. The decree has been a contentious issue within the Flemish government, causing friction among coalition partners on multiple occasions.

Overall, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo's letter serves as a heartfelt appeal for greater political collaboration and unity in the interest of building a stronger and more effective government for the people of Belgium. Photo by Center for Data Innovation, Wikimedia commons.