An advisor working for Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Mobility, Georges Gilkinet (Ecolo), is being paid by their former employer (the public air traffic company Skeyes).
A report published by La Libre on Tuesday also revealed that the official had participated in government negotiations with the company, representing a potential conflict of interest.
The advisor had been employed by Skeyes as an air traffic expert before being hired by the ministry in 2014 when François Bellot (MR) was the Mobility Minister. He was retained in 2020 once Gilkinet was appointed to the role but was still being paid by Skeyes.
Ministers are permitted to hire external experts to advise them, with part of their salary paid for by their previous employer. This formed part of Petra De Sutter’s (Groen) defence after she was found to have employed two postal experts from bpost.
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However, the fact that these advisors negotiate state contracts on their minister’s behalf with the companies which are still supporting them financially has been criticised. Just as one of De Sutter’s advisors led talks with bpost, Gilkinet’s external expert also participated in discussions with Skeyes in November 2022.
The advisor was Gilkinet’s representative at two different meetings held to discuss the fees paid for by airlines intended to finance Skeyes’ activities. The expert denied any claims of conflict of interest, however, telling La Libre that "I only depend on the minister."
The Mobility Minister’s spokesperson also defended the advisor, arguing that they have provided Gilkinet with "solid expertise" on aviation matters, "which is not easy to come by." However, they also confirmed that a new representative would be appointed by the minister to lead future negotiations with Skeyes.
