"I swear loyalty to the King, obedience to the Constitution and the laws of the Belgian people." This phrase rang out eight times this Monday in the Walloon Parliament, where the new government's ministers took the oath of office.
Wallonia's new Minister-President Adrien Dolimont (MR), who is also in charge of the Budget, was the first to utter the words. He was followed by François Desquesnes (Les Engagés; in charge of Mobility, Public Works, Town and Country Planning, Public Authorities), Pierre-Yves Jeholet (MR; Economy, Employment and Training), Yves Coppieters (Les Engagés; Health, Environment), Jacqueline Galant (MR; Public Service, Sports Infrastructure), Valérie Lescrenier (Les Engagés; Tourism, Heritage), Cécile Neven (MR; Energy, Airports, Housing), and Anne-Catherine Dalcq (MR; Agriculture). Both Dalcq and Pierre-Yves Jeholet took the oath in German.
The new Walloon Government comprises seven ministers and a Minister-President. Of those, five are from MR and three from Engagés; four women and four men. Several wear two hats, acting as both Minister for the Region and Minister for the French-speaking Community Government (Wallonia-Brussels Federation).
This is the case of Jacqueline Galant, in charge of the Media at the Federation, and Valérie Lescrenier. Lescrenier, who immediately returned from holiday when her appointment was announced, will manage the portfolios of Early Childhood, Youth and Youth Aid in the French-speaking Community Government.
Adrien Dolimont and Yves Coppieters will also have "small competencies" to ensure that the community government includes a third of ministers of the least-represented sex, explained MR leader Georges-Louis Bouchez on Sunday.
✋ Prestation de serment de M. @adolimont en tant que ministre-président du gouvernement wallon, en présence du premier ministre, M. @alexanderdecroo. pic.twitter.com/lUOcZe3zyp
— Belgian Royal Palace (@MonarchieBe) July 15, 2024
On social media, Belgium's outgoing Prime Minister Alexander De Croo wished Dolimont and his new government good luck. "The Walloon Region is at a crossroads and faces multiple challenges. I congratulate Adrien Dolimont on his appointment as Minister-President and wish his entire government every success in the years to come."
In the meantime, Dolimont went to the Royal Palace to take the oath of office before King Philippe and then return to Namur, where outgoing Walloon Minister-President Elio Di Rupo (PS) officially handed over the keys to the official residence of the Walloon head of government in Namur, the Élysette.
As is the custom, both exchanged gifts. Dolimont invited his predecessor for dinner in a Brussels restaurant as a present. The gift was a reference to Dolimont's entry into the Walloon Government in January 2022, when Di Rupo invited him to a dinner to explain how to survive the first months in politics. "He defined a whole generation. It was a nice gesture."
Privilege to live in a democracy
Dolimont also gave Di Rupo a blue bow tie – the colour of Europe – to wear when he is sworn in at the European Parliament on Tuesday. In turn, Di Rupo handed his successor the keys to the Élysette. "It is a beautiful day, a privilege to live in a democracy," he said. Later in the afternoon, Di Rupo made his reigning statement at the Walloon Parliament.
In parliament, the session was also marked by the arrival of MR's Willy Borsus as President of the Assembly. "I have always regarded the parliaments I have visited with infinite political tenderness. Parliament is the beating heart of democracy. It must also be the valiant and transparent heart," he said in his first speech as President.
"Our institution must continue its efforts and its work to regain the trust of citizens. This work will be carried out," Borsus said. "I shall also ensure that this Presidency is conducted in a balanced manner, allowing everyone to express their views, to make proposals, and sometimes to disagree or even criticise."
"This morning the sky is sunny and blue. Some will see it as an omen, others as a long-awaited change in the weather. As your President, I will not comment on either of these interpretations," he joked.
