After three weeks of negotiations, the government deadlock in Brussels shows little sign of breaking
Brussels remains without a government and there seems to be no solution in sight. After three weeks of negotiations, informers Elke Van den Brandt (Groen) and Christophe De Beukelaer (Les Engagés) are due to present their final report on Friday or possibly Monday. But the latest bilateral talks on Thursday made little progress.
Discussions were held with the PVDA, Open VLD and CD&V. Apart from a constructive atmosphere, no substantive updates were provided by the parties. A minority government was briefly considered, although this would be particularly difficult in Brussels.
Complex structure
Unlike at federal level, where a simple majority of members present (abstentions not counted) is enough, the Brussels Parliament requires a triple majority: a majority of all members, a majority within the French-speaking group and a majority within the Dutch-speaking group.
The installation of a minority government therefore makes it particularly difficult to form a viable coalition. The liberals of the MR are also opposed to the idea.
Alternative coalition
The current deadlock persists because the parties' vetoes prevent a viable majority. Open VLD and MR favour the inclusion of the N-VA on the Dutch-speaking side, but the socialist PS refuses. There is no alternative francophone coalition partner unless Ecolo reconsiders. The PS has proposed replacing the N-VA with the conservative CD&V, but there is little enthusiasm for this option.
Nine months after the elections, the deadlock continues. The informers took over the negotiations three weeks ago, following the resignation of formateur David Leisterh (MR) on 21 February. On Sunday, Van den Brandt and De Beukelaer announced that they would extend their efforts for another week, with a new round of bilateral meetings planned.
When they took office on 23 February, they acknowledged that "mediators or deminers" might still be needed before Leisterh could return as formateur. It now seems that more effort will be needed to get a new Brussels government up and running.
© BELGIAN_FREELANCE
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