Defence minister's Christmas video met with criticism: 'Using army resources to play'
A Christmas video by Belgium's Defence minister Ludivine Dedonder and army chief Michel Hofman sparked criticism on Friday. "She can play games if she wants, but not with our tax money," said Georges-Louis Bouchez, leader of French-speaking liberals MR.
In the video published on social media, Hofman and Dedonder send Christmas greetings to defence personnel. In the following scenario, they have to rescue Santa Claus at sea with the help of a navy patrol boat.
Reactions on social media point to the money and resources that must have gone into making the clip. Bouchez was particularly scathing. "What will Putin think when he sees this?" he wrote on social media. "There is a war in Europe and major conflicts in the world, but the Defence minister is using public money and army resources to play games. She can play games if she wants, but not with our tax money. She should also respect the institution."
"There is a war in Europe ... but the Defence minister is using public money and army resources to play games"
Hofman and Dedonder first made a video with Christmas wishes last year, filmed at the commando training centre in Marche-les-Dames, Namur.
Defence minister Ludivine Dedonder © BELGA PHOTO VIRGINIE LEFOUR
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