MR party leader Georges-Louis Bouchez raised eyebrows this weekend when claimed Belgium does not need a Minister for Culture, provoking furious backlash from the Belgian cultural sector.
"I don't see why we need a Minister of Culture," he said on Saturday. "There isn't one in the United States, and American culture dominates the world, not just through blockbusters, but through funding avant-garde cinema."
The comments were said in the context the discussions about the new direction of the next Federal Government, which is currently being negotiated.
Artists and political opponents have since warned that the remark is not just against culture, it is antidemocratic.
The United States created the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) in 1965, two cultural agencies charged with promoting the arts during the Cold War.
'Trumpisation' of Belgian politics
In an open letter published in Le Soir on Monday, Director Fabrice Murgia and Scientific Coordinator for the University of Liège humanities department Rachel Brahy hit back at Bouchez' comments, which they say are an attack to democracy, and not just to culture.
"We believe that this outrageous logic deserves to be stopped. Otherwise, citizens, journalists, artists and intellectuals will no longer be able to pursue their role as guardians of democracy," they stated. "This is a difficult role that requires not only modesty, but also time, solidarity and security."
Mural against HIV-Aids, in Antwerp. Artist Larsen Bervoets painted the fresco for Sensoa. Credit: Belga / Thierry Roge
"Ultimately, it's not just a ministry that's under attack here. It's an entire part of what constitutes humanity: the freedom to create, to express oneself, and to think differently."
DéFI MP François De Smet says the comments prove the "Trumpisation" of Belgian politics.
"The problem with this kind of crude statement is that it is precisely to get people talking, gossiping and shouting," he said on social media. "The fact that it is becoming commonplace even here shows the general Trumpisation of the European and Belgian political debate."
Culture cuts, not tax cuts
Bouchez views suppressing culture as a way to tackle Belgium's budgetary issues. Federal Government negotiations are currently focusing on the socio-economic "supernote" of N-VA leader and federal formator Bart De Wever. The 130-page document proposes savings of over €20 billion via reforms to the labour market, pensions and taxation.
"Taxation remains the explosive issue" that could derail the whole process, he told Le Soir.
The MR leader is firmly opposed to more taxes, stating that 10% of the wealthiest people in Belgium contribute 50% of personal income tax. "We don't need extra taxes in the most taxed country in the world," he told RTBF on Monday.
Furthermore, Bouchez added to Le Soir "the stakes are so high that the party leader will have to assume their responsibilities in government."
