Policies put forward by Arizona negotiators to get unemployed people back into work and limit their benefits will not apply to individuals over 55, Georges-Louis Bouchez said on Sunday evening.
Federal Government negotiators are attempting to bring together the 'Arizona' coalition – N-VA, Mouvement Réformateur (MR), Les Engagés, CD&V and Vooruit – by the end of the month. The final discussions deal with some of the most divisive reforms, which led over 30,000 people to participate in a national strike against pension cuts in Brussels last Monday.
Speaking on RTL-TVI on Sunday, MR leader Georges-Louis Bouchez sought to reassure viewers in response to a concern raised by a woman in her fifties. She was worried about Arizona’s proposals as she was unemployed after a layoff and struggling to find new work.
"The rules on limiting unemployment benefits will not be applicable to people over 55," Bouchez promised. He added that the aim is to focus on young people who are of working age but remain unemployed.
In the same 15-minute interview, Bouchez said N-VA leader Bart De Wever would make an excellent Prime Minister. The Arizona negotiators have until 31 January to reach an agreement and De Wever has said that there is a "50-50 chance" talks will succeed.