“The Debate on Maintenance Obligation: Vlaams Belang vs N-VA Stances”

“We believe that the maintenance obligation should be abolished,” says Chris Janssens (VB). “This is about how society treats those in need of care. For me, that is absolutely the government’s job.” When it comes to social themes, Vlaams Belang opts for the left path. Although Janssens is only too happy to emphasize that the money should go to “our people, our people in need of care, our seniors” who have “contributed all their lives”.

N-VA brings a twofold message. “I think family solidarity is very important,” says Maaike De Vreese (N-VA): taking care of your parents as a child who once took care of you.

“But it is also very important that it is foreseen for fair reasons that the OCMW will make exceptions to this.” For example, it should be possible for the OCMW to exempt you from this duty of care if you yourself get into financial difficulties by paying for your parents’ rest home bill. “We think it’s very important that this is decided locally, on a case-by-case basis.”