New leader Flemish Greens calls for ‘Trump tax’ on large oil and gas companies
In his maiden speech, the new leader of the Flemish Green party Groen, Aimen Horch, called for the introduction of a ‘Trump tax’ on large oil and gas companies that are making huge profits from the war in the Middle East. The proceeds should go towards investments in domestic green energy. Horch drew a contrast with the current federal government, which he claims “opts for gas and oil”.
Horch, who sees New York mayor Zohran Mamdani as a major inspiration, last week won the Flemish Greens’ leadership election already in the first round. On Saturday evening in Ghent, he addressed party activists for the first time.
His speech focused primarily on energy bills, given the ongoing war in the Middle East. “People are losing sleep over their energy bills, which could become completely unpredictable in the coming months. Whilst everyone is losing out in this war, there is one group making a profit: oil and gas companies,” said Horch. “Big Oil and Big Money have always been the best of friends.”
"In this way, we will make Big Money and Big Oil contribute to stable bills and a secure future"
That is why he is putting forward a concrete proposal. “Introduce a Trump tax, and immediately demand a fair contribution from the very largest oil and gas companies, which are making extreme profits. That is money we can invest in our own energy future. In this way, we will make Big Money and Big Oil contribute to stable bills and a secure future.”
Horch is thereby setting the opposition party Groen against the current federal government. "They are opting for oil and gas, and so we remain at the mercy of Trump and Netanyahu. We are using our common sense and opting for certainty: the certainty of green energy that we control ourselves,” he said. He was referring to the plea made earlier this week by CD&V leader Sammy Mahdi for more gas extraction in Europe. “And Bart De Wever wants to sweet-talk Putin for oil," Horch criticised.
"The sun doesn’t have to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. And for cheap wind energy, you don’t have to flirt with Putin”
“What these conservative politicians fail to understand is that we must move away from oil and gas. And that every time they opt for oil and gas, they are choosing greater dependence and greater uncertainty,” he continued. "Security is more than just weapons and drones. Energy is also security. The sun doesn’t have to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. And for cheap wind energy, you don’t have to flirt with Putin.”
Horch also announced that Groen is organising a major policy conference in November. It will focus on the major challenges of our time: “our energy security, our international security and our democracy”.
#FlandersNewsService | Aimen Horch, leader of the Flemish Green party Groen © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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