Authentic, empathetic, trusting and very clear. The way in which Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open VLD) and Minister of Social Affairs Frank Vandenbroucke (SP.A) delivered a difficult message to the population is praised. Still with motivational psychologist Maarten Vansteenkiste (UGent).
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The two already announced it in the House on Thursday: the situation in our country is particularly serious and stricter measures will be taken. So we were prepared for what was to come on Friday. The catering industry will close, there will be a night clock, we have to work from home as much as possible and we are only allowed one hug contact have more. So quite strict measures.
But according to Maarten Vansteenkiste, the government delivered it in a motivating way. The prime minister pointed out that we all have a common goal, spoke in the we form and stressed that no one will be let go. In addition, he concluded with the message that he is confident that we will continue to frolic. Giving people confidence in these difficult times is important ”.
Empathy
There is also praise for the clear way in which the measures were interpreted. Both the specific measures and the why of the bigger story: that our health deserves all our attention and therefore our freedom must now be curtailed. “We can experience all the measures as a very tight straightjacket, but by explaining it like this, we are more likely to accept them,” says the motivational scientist.
Vansteenkiste himself is in Celeval, the body that advises the government. Celeval also advised the government to take steps to help people who are lonely.
There was also empathy for those affected by the measures, such as the catering industry. And the government immediately announced compensatory measures. “We know this is going to hurt, but there is no other way. We are therefore going to support and push through the hospitality industry ”, stated Frank Vandenbroucke.
To leak
The new government has not succeeded in putting an end to the many leaks in advance about the measures. Before the press conference started, all decisions were already on the street. And all ministers could not hold back from making statements before the cameras. The prime minister even had to wait a while with his press conference because Ecolo Deputy Prime Minister Georges Gilkinet and Walloon Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo (PS) were still giving plenty of interviews. Some things will never change in Wetstraat.
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