Fifth column: The Iron Lady
N-VA's Zuhal Demir has become a force to be reckoned with, as an outspoken critic of welfare state excesses
Ambition and talent
Demir (pictured) was born in Genk to a family of Turkish-Kurdish immigrants. Although she often refers to her background (calling the neighbourhood she grew up in a “ghetto”), it has never hindered her ambitions. When a weekly described her as an influential allochtoon – the Dutch term used for people with immigrant roots – she objected, calling herself “a former allochtoon”.
Like Homans, Demir worked herself up through ambition and talent. This is the road anyone disadvantaged should follow, rather than expect others to take of them, she has been known to say. She says that she has never experienced racism, so therefore has little sympathy for people who complain about discrimination.
Aside from a saucy photo shoot in the federal parliament for P Magazine, Demir’s views were bound to get her noticed. She has become her party’s number one spokesperson for criticising excesses of the welfare state.
Demir strongly believes that unemployment benefits should be limited in time. “If the unemployed notice they can no longer pay their bills, they will try harder,” she said. Her “anti-social” remarks infuriated coalition partner CD&V, who pointed out that this was not part of the government agreement.
Last week, Demir lashed out again. The unemployment agency overpaid benefits in the amount of €291 million, and blamed the unions, which, in many cases, are responsible for paying out benefits.
The unions reacted furiously, saying that they may pay out the benefits, but they are not responsible for granting them or checking up on them, both of which are the government's job. Moreover, the arrears mentioned consist not only of inaccurately paid benefits to the unemployed, but also to some employers and people on paid leave.
Her critics see Demir’s statements as yet another attempt by N-VA to curtail the unions. Demir is not bothered. With the N-VA president applauding her words, she can be sure that her party will not overlook her again when it comes to appointing cabinet ministers.
Photo courtesy Het Nieuwsblad
