Top Belgian politicianquits in tax scandal

12 February 2004

BRUSSELS – Daniel Ducarme, one of Belgium’s three most senior regional politicians, quit his job on Thursday following newspaper revelations that he owes around EUR 184,000 in unpaid taxes.

Belgium is a federal state made up of three regions, Brussels, Dutch speaking Flanders and French speaking Wallonia.

Ducarme was the leader, or Minister President, of the Brussels region.

He announced his resignation at a hastily convened press conference after the ‘Vers L’Avenir’ newspaper revealed he had consistently failed to file income tax returns.

Explaining his decision to step down, Ducarme told journalists that while he considered the question of his tax returns a personal affair, he accepted that the revelations could have an impact on his ministerial functions.

“The decision pains me as it has changed the way I planned my life,” he said.

Vers L’Avenir said the Minister President had not filed a tax return in 1999, had filed his 2000 return five months late and had failed to declare his earnings in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

According to the newspaper Ducarme owes around EUR184, 000 in back taxes. Vers L’Avenir added that the Minister President has now reached an agreement with the tax authorities to pay off his debt.

Subject: Belgian news