Belgium's budget crisis is being held hostage by a socialist party leader whose own party won just 8.1% of the vote.
Conner Rousseau, president of Vooruit (Flemish socialists), is blocking budget talks while pushing for higher taxes in a country that already has the world's highest tax burden. His solution? Tax the rich more. His track record? He admits he doesn't read books.
Rousseau resigned in 2023 after making racist and sexist comments that shocked even far-right politicians. He was back in charge less than a year later.
Meanwhile, he lectures Belgians on cost-of-living struggles and buying European goods while wearing a €500 American luxury sweater. He's openly said he'd love to wear Prada but avoids it for optics. He parties on yachts in Ibiza, loves designer clothes, and just published a book he reportedly didn't write himself.
For years he hid his sexuality to appeal to young female voters, carefully crafting a celebrity image. Now he's one of the key figures preventing Belgium from stabilizing its finances as talent and capital flee the country.
The irony: a socialist who loves capitalism's luxuries blocking reforms that might actually help the country he claims to serve.
Conner Rousseau, president of Vooruit (Flemish socialists), is blocking budget talks while pushing for higher taxes in a country that already has the world's highest tax burden. His solution? Tax the rich more. His track record? He admits he doesn't read books.
Rousseau resigned in 2023 after making racist and sexist comments that shocked even far-right politicians. He was back in charge less than a year later.
Meanwhile, he lectures Belgians on cost-of-living struggles and buying European goods while wearing a €500 American luxury sweater. He's openly said he'd love to wear Prada but avoids it for optics. He parties on yachts in Ibiza, loves designer clothes, and just published a book he reportedly didn't write himself.
For years he hid his sexuality to appeal to young female voters, carefully crafting a celebrity image. Now he's one of the key figures preventing Belgium from stabilizing its finances as talent and capital flee the country.
The irony: a socialist who loves capitalism's luxuries blocking reforms that might actually help the country he claims to serve.
