Pushing someone into dismissal while you’re in the guard isn’t very smart

A while ago, a video that was filmed in the Parliament of Ghana went viral. One MP compared the politics to England footballer Harry Maguire, a defender who is often the target of ridicule. “If the opposing team’s forwards don’t succeed, Maguire will score for them if necessary.”

An argument for Habib (MR) was the Belgian Harry Maguire within a week. Last week she still thought attack was the best defence, and tackled Brussels State Secretary Pascal Smit (Fruet) with two feet forward. Meanwhile, the consequence of this is a goal of our own that we rarely see.

This isn’t a deflected ball accidentally hitting the goal, it’s the confidence of kicking the ball into the crosshairs of the goal. Then you shouldn’t be surprised that some of your fellow players ask for a substitution. It is easy for the opponent to score like this.

Habib would not be in such a precarious position now if she had not lashed out at Smet last week, prompted by MR boss Bouchez, whom she accused of immaturity and a sense of responsibility. She knew then what we only know now: that she had her own motives for issuing the visas.

It’s not wise that she left that last week, but it’s even worse when you know something like this could mean you’re on the rock on your own. Another trigger for someone to release themselves at that moment is pure hara-kiri, a Japanese ritual in which samurai cut open their stomachs.

It’s understandable, but it’s unfortunate that this file narrows down to a discussion of possible half-truths and lies. Even now, after its second passage in the hall, new items of debt are still appearing. In the background is a more lively debate about our foreign policy.

First, there is the question of what room to maneuver we give to regions, which are increasingly willing to steer their own course. Second, there is the question of how Belgium should position itself against authoritarian or hostile regimes. Retreating ourselves will not automatically make us safer or improve human rights in the world.

On the other hand, how far will you go to appease countries and move them towards something? Regimes like North Korea or Iran will seize every opportunity to use them for their domestic propaganda. It can make them stronger. The issue is more complicated when you look at China.

Germany is working on a strategy for China that immediately shows how schizophrenic the relationship is. China is a partner in the fight against global warming, and in economic terms it is a competitor, and in terms of values ​​it is a competitor. Then again try to be direct in conversations. But the strategy of China, and Belgium also has something similar, can clarify positions if it is clearly worked out. To go back to football terminology: if someone keeps making a mistake afterwards, VAR can at least intervene. In memory of the Minister and Georges Louis Boches: Even VAR does not set its targets.