"I plan to lead a normal active life over the next years"

The former Belgian Premier and Flemish Christian democrat figurehead Jean-Luc Dehaene has spoken to the press for the first time after the alarming news was spread about the fact that he is battling pancreatic cancer. Mr Dehaene hopes to recover well and also has a message for the N-VA.

Jean-Luc Dehaene (73) will say goodbye to domestic and European politics after the May elections. Despite battling pancreatic cancer, he shows a good fighting spirit. "I am planning to have a normal and active life in the years to come," he told the Belgian newspapers. The cancer was discovered at an early stage and he is now undergoing a kind of chemotherapy though medication as a prevention. 

Mr Dehaene intends to have a less busy life in order to make time for travelling, reading, rambling, photography and watching football - he is an ardent fan of FC Bruges, red. "In 1999 I quit national politics, now I am finishing my European career. From now on, I will act as a witness from past times."

The Vilvoorde resident also lets his light shine on political issues. "We should really avoid yet another state reform after the elections. This has no sense, as the present (6th) state reform is still being carried out", he sends a clear message to the Flemish nationalists of N-VA. The N-VA wants even more powers for Flanders than the extra ones it is receiving through the 6th state reform. This opposed to parties like the Christian democrats of CD&V, who think the 6th state reform will do.

Dehaene counters De Wever

Belgium should focus on reaching a balanced budget and reducing the budget deficit, following the guidelines imposed by Europe. "We should take new austerity measures, straightaway. This shouldn't be done by taking a number of smaller measures here and there, but by taking strong, sustainable austerity measures." This was a clear message to the Francophone socialists and the Di Rupo administration, which used exactly the first method mentioned.

Mr Dehaene also wants to counter a statement made by N-VA leader Bart De Wever last week. Mr De Wever and his N-VA are poised to win the elections and if they get 30 percent of the votes, they will take the initiative to form a new federal government with the N-VA. But does that mean that De Wever will become the new Belgian PM? That's far from certain, considering how the previous formation process ended.

"He recently said that becoming PM in Belgium is the worst thing that can happen to you. That is wrong and I know what I am talking about. You know what's even worse? Steering your party to 30 percent of the votes and doing nothing with it next." During the last (almost endless) formation of the federal government, De Wever failed to reach an agreement with the leader of the Francophone socialists, Elio Di Rupo. The N-VA took place on the opposition benches while Di Rupo made a coalition government with the Flemish and Francophone Christian democrats, socialists and  liberals. This government has no Flemish majority in parliament.

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