Brussels government: Open VLD cancels meeting, Les Engagés prepares new proposal
Brussels Open VLD leader Frédéric De Gucht has cancelled a planned roundtable discussion on the Brussels government formation. Only the MR and N-VA were to participate in the meeting organised by the Flemish liberals. French-speaking centrist party Les Engagés is working on a new proposal, which the party is expected to unveil on Tuesday morning.
Last week, De Gucht sent an invitation to all parties - except PTB/PVDA, Team Fouad Ahidar and Vlaams Belang - to sit down at the table with a view to forming a Brussels government. However, it comes as no surprise that the discussion has now been cancelled.
His proposal was met with a cool reception by almost all parties. Only the MR and the N-VA agreed to participate.
“We regret that several parties do not want to come to the table,” a spokesperson for Brussels Open VLD told BRUZZ. "There were still contacts with the MR and the N-VA last weekend. Défi wanted to come, but was ultimately unable to attend. We will look for a new date in the coming days."
Two weeks ago, De Gucht himself torpedoed the proposal tabled by facilitator Yvan Verougstraete of Les Engagés, bringing the formation of a government to a standstill once again. According to several parties, De Gucht's insistence on including the N-VA, despite the fact there is no majority in Brussels with the party of prime minister Bart De Wever, made his own initiative implausible.
Verougstraete is working on a new proposal, which he is expected to unveil on Tuesday. His party wants to work with the PS, Groen, Vooruit and CD&V on a budget preparation that could then open the door to a new government, but this requires the participation of MR.
Brussels Open VLD leader Frédéric De Gucht © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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