Bouchez attempts to relaunch Brussels government talks
After more than 500 days of failed attempts to form a government for the Brussels capital region, negotiators from six parties met on Monday for the first time since Georges-Louis Bouchez took on the role of formateur.
Bouchez, the leader of the French-speaking liberal party MR, declared himself formateur in order to lead the coalition talks after his fellow party member David Leisterh stepped down from the role last week.
Bouchez wants to form a government by the end of the year
When the negotiators arrived for the meeting on Monday, they said they were curious to hear about Bouchez's plans. For most of them, the region's budget remains the priority.
Bouchez said last week that he wanted to form a government by the end of the year. On Monday, Ans Persoons of the Flemish socialist party Vooruit reiterated that a coalition would not be possible without a Dutch-speaking majority.
Prior to the meeting, many negotiators raised questions regarding the next steps, the implications of Leisterh's departure, and Bouchez's intentions.
Leisterh announced his resignation as formateur and his departure from national and regional politics in a video released last week. He acknowledged partial responsibility for the prolonged deadlock in the formation talks.
Christophe De Beukelaer of the French-speaking centrist party Les Engagés described Leisterh's resignation as a "strong move" on Monday, but added that they now needed to see what Bouchez would propose.
'Constructive but combative'
Ahmed Laaouej, chair of the Brussels branch of the French-speaking socialist party PS, said he was in a "constructive but combative" mood. He wanted to know what was on the negotiating table and said he was disappointed that the budgetary framework had changed.
Laaouej warned that the PS would continue to oppose hundreds of redundancies in the social sector and primary care, as well as additional savings for municipalities, which would force them to levy extra taxes.
Bouchez, who arrived late and in a hurry, said only that he is "constructive" and wants to discuss methodology on Monday afternoon.
Formateur Georges-Louis Bouchez arrives for a meeting on 3 November 2025 in Brussels © BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS
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