Brussels coalition talks continue on Verougstraete note

Talks to form a new Brussels regional government are continuing. Several parties are willing to use a proposal by formateur Yvan Verougstraete as a starting point.

The French-speaking Socialists (PS) and the Flemish social democrats Vooruit said on Tuesday they are ready to carry on discussions based on Verougstraete’s political and budget note, while keeping their detailed comments for him. DéFI has taken the same approach. The note was shared with parties on 24 December, with feedback due by the end of the year.

Green parties Ecolo and Groen stressed that the document is only a basis for discussion and not a final agreement. Ecolo said the note is still far from what it could support.

CD&V is more cautious. The party says it will assess the situation next week, once a clearer base text is presented. Its national leader, Sammy Mahdi, has already ruled out backing a centre-left coalition in Brussels.

Les Engagés pushes for centre-left majority without MR in Brussels

Les Engagés leader Yvan Verougstraete says he will try to form a centre-left majority in Brussels without francophone liberal party MR. In a...

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Verougstraete, who stepped in after earlier talks failed, aims to move towards bilateral meetings in early January and possibly full negotiations shortly after. Media reports suggest his plan includes major spending cuts to reduce the region’s deficit by 2029.

While a centre-left coalition would have a narrow majority on the French-speaking side, it still lacks enough seats among Dutch-speaking parties. Open VLD has so far shown no sign of joining, saying it wants deeper reforms and stronger budget cuts.

^{Les Engages's chairman Yvan Verougstraete © BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS}