« The law is the same for everyone and it is the court that apply it, » replied on Wednesday the Prime Minister, Charles Michel, to Prince Laurent regarding the execution of a judicial decision.

In this letter, the King’s brother claims to be a victim of « discrimination » and is particularly targeting Foreign Minister, Didier Reynders. The prince has tried for several years, without success, to obtain the execution of a judgment in his favor by the Court of Appeal of Brussels in 2014. Several million euros would be at stake in an unprecedented reforestation operation in Libya in which the prince’s ASBL, GSDT, participated.

The prince therefore puts the government on notice to intervene in the execution of the judicial decision rendered in his favor and « to make the same efforts to obtain from Libyan officials the execution of the judgment of the Court of Justice ».

« The Belgian state must apply the United Nations resolutions and the regulations directly applicable in this matter, » added the Prime Minister before recalling that the prince’s lawyers were informed of this situation between the end of 2015 and the beginning of 2016.

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The House of Representatives voted early Friday by 93 votes to 23 for a one-time cut of 46,000 euros from his annual endowment of some 300,000 euros.

The move came despite an emotional letter from the 54-year-old brother of King Philippe saying he had never had the opportunity to pick his own career opportunities.

The liberal Open Vld parliamentary leader, Patrick Dewael, retorted that the prince has to accept the conditions that come with an endowment.« Or he rejects the endowment and he is free to do as he pleases. »

Source: Associated Press.

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“The bill has to be paid”, Mr. Francken said on Friday. He also suggested that Prince Laurent should complain to the Interfederal centre for equal opportunities (Unia), in case he would disagree with the future decision.

Following this statement a letter was sent to Charles Michel by Laurent Arnauts, Prince Laurent’s lawyer. Mr Arnauts recommends that the financial sanction should not reach 10-15% out of EUR 308,000, as Prince Laurent’s net salary is actually much lower.

Charles Michel’s office replied, saying that legal services are currently on the file. It will then be presented at the Ministers council, to decide whether a financial sanction is an adequate option.

Belgian Prime Minister called for a “proportional sanction” last summer. Under the Belgian constitutional law, the Prince has to require the permission of the Federal Minister for Foreign affairs in order to attend a diplomatic meeting.

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