A new coalition was proposed on Monday in the latest effort to form a regional government in Brussels, which has not had a functioning executive authority since elections in June 2024.
Yvan Verougstraete (of francophone centrists Les Engagés) proposed a seven-party government across the political spectrum though excluding the Flemish nationalist party, N-VA.
On the French-speaking side the formation would involve the centre-right MR, centre-left PS and Les Engagés, while the Dutch-speaking side would feature Groen, Open VLD, Vooruit and CD&V. Crucially, this would omit the N-VA, which the PS had previously refused to accept as a coalition partner.
Verougstraete served as a facilitator to bring parties back to the negotiating table after all prior attempts to secure a government failed. Speaking at a press conference at the regional parliament on Monday, he lamented the lack of progress that has “poisoned” the region for 15 months.
The debt of Belgium’s capital region has now risen to €15.5 billion and its credit rating was downgraded in June, raising the cost of servicing this debt. But without a government to present a new budget, the region has been unable to stabilise its finances.
Verougstraete insisted that there was a sense of urgency among all coalition parties, who have now returned from their summer vacations. He reiterated that parties must be willing to set aside their differences for the good of Belgium’s capital.
A ‘creative solution’
Asked by journalists if he was optimistic about this new proposal, Verougstraete answered that he was “pragmatic”. He acknowledged that his proposal is “creative” but said he had considered many options and only this one stood up to scrutiny.
“I am convinced that there is enough of a common ground for parties to converge for a cleaner, healthier and safer Brussels,” he said.
He hopes that the proposal can form the basis of fresh discussions, which should be led by the regional formator David Leisterh, of the MR party.
It should quickly become clear whether Verougstraete’s proposal could be acceptable for the other parties.
Notably, it involves francophone parties MR and PS each giving up a secretary of state position – a considerable sacrifice but crucial in making the deal acceptable for other parties. One secretary of state post would be transferred to the Flemish Christian Democrats (CD&V), while another seat would be filled by a person from civil society who is familiar with the city’s economic affairs.
The seven concerned parties must now indicate if they are willing to move forward with negotiations.
Verougstraete said that “my work ends here” and it would be up to other parties to suggest alternative solutions, should his proposal be rejected.
Eddy Wax contributed to this reporting.
(vc)
