Walloon minister defends budget balance, denies tapping local powers

François Desquesnes, Walloon vice-president and minister for Mobility and Local Powers, responds to criticism over the regional budget, asserting that communes were not expecting the government to run a deficit and that there will be no additional taxation for citizens. He refutes claims that the budget taps local authorities and justifies the need to suppress the provincial level. The statement follows the presentation of the budget and the GSK restructuring shock, but details on fiscal measures remain unclear.