Brussels government formation talks to start without Dutch-speaking majority
Formateur and Les Engagés chairman Yvan Verougstraete will launch formal coalition negotiations on Tuesday 20 January to try to form a new Brussels government, he announced on Thursday afternoon. However, both CD&V and Open VLD have already indicated they will not join a centre-left coalition, leaving the Dutch-speaking side without a majority.
On 12 December, Verougstraete brought together seven parties for budget talks. On the French-speaking side, these were PS, Les Engagés, Ecolo and DéFI. On the Dutch-speaking side, Groen, Vooruit and CD&V took part. On Christmas Eve, the formateur presented them a draft government statement and an initial budget framework, followed by a series of bilateral discussions.
Earlier this week, Verougstraete outlined a pathway towards a full budget for 2026 and the formation of a Brussels majority. His approach is to start with agreement on the regional budget for 2026 and a number of key reforms. On Thursday, the formateur said he wants to move to substantive negotiations with the seven parties, beginning on 20 January.
No Dutch-speaking majority
Any Brussels government requires a double majority, with support from both French-speaking and Dutch-speaking parties. That threshold is currently met on the French-speaking side, but not among Dutch-speaking parties. Verougstraete’s strategy depends on the participation of CD&V and Open VLD to secure a majority there. Both parties, however, say the current proposals are insufficient.
Although CD&V’s Benjamin Dalle took part in the talks, the party announced on Thursday that it would not be joining Verhougstraete's coalition and would instead be moving into opposition. The Christian-democrats did say that they would be prepared to sign the nomination documents for new Brussels ministers if required.
"Open VLD is not at the negotiating table today and, based on the information available to us, sees no reason to do so"
The two seats held by Open VLD are also crucial for a Dutch-speaking majority. But party chairman Frédéric De Gucht made clear on Thursday that this is currently not an option. "Open VLD is not at the negotiating table today and, based on the information available to us, sees no reason to do so. Our position on this matter has been and remains clear," he said.
While talks are still expected to begin on 20 January, the lack of a Dutch-speaking majority means that the latest attempt to form a Brussels government appears likely to run into the same obstacles as previous efforts.
Les Engages's chairman Yvan Verougstraete. © BELGA PHOTO MARIUS BURGELMAN
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