Over 2,000 liberals gathered at Blegny-Mine in Belgium to mark 1 May as part of ALDE Party member Mouvement Réformateur's annual gathering.
Held at the historic mining site, the gathering brought together supporters from across the country, with over 800 visitors entering the mine and going underground to experience the conditions that once defined the site’s working history.
With the memory of that industrial past still present, Party leader Georges-Louis Bouchez injected energy into the atmosphere with a speech centred on economic ambition.
He called for renewed confidence and progress in the face of uncertainty, urging people to “believe in our country again.” Bouchez framed the moment as a choice between pessimism and ambition, arguing that there can be no higher wages or sustainable pensions without economic growth.
“We must embrace optimism,” he said. “Because if every morning when you get up you tell yourself things aren't going well, I can tell you that by the end of the day, things won't be going well either. If, on the other hand, we get up in the morning with optimism, then we can achieve great things, and that should be the message of liberals.”
The message throughout the day focused on the wider role of work in society. Speakers underlined that work is not only a source of income, but also a basis for social connection, purpose and personal dignity.
A key moment came with the story of Michel, a former miner who began working at the Blegny site in 1955 to support his family. Speaking on stage, he recalled: "I went down the mine at 14; I didn't want my mother to go to work anymore," a testimony that highlighted the sacrifices behind working life and its impact across generations.
Minister-President of the Brussels Region Boris Dilliès also addressed the crowd, stressing the need for a region that “values work, supports entrepreneurs and rewards effort.” He described this as the basis for “a dynamic, attractive and forward-looking city-region,” adding that “Brussels is the capital of 500 million Europeans.”
For MR, 1 May is both a moment to reflect and a moment to look forward. The party positioned itself around a simple idea: a society that values and rewards work is one that creates opportunity and builds confidence for the future.
Throughout the day, liberals emphasised optimism and reform, calling for a politics that moves beyond pessimism and looks forward with confidence.
Watch Bouchez's speech here.