Brussels government: Open VLD cancels meeting, Les Engagés prepares new proposal
Brussels Open VLD leader Frédéric De Gucht has cancelled his round table discussion on the Brussels government formation. Only the MR and the 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, Brussels Open VLD negotiator Frédéric 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 De Gucht's round table discussion has now been cancelled.
De Gucht's proposal was met with a cool reception by almost all parties. Only the MR and the N-VA would participate in the meeting. “We regret that several parties do not want to come to the table,” Sheraz Rafi, spokesperson for the 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 formation proposal of Yvan Verougstraete from 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 that there is no majority in Brussels with the party of prime minister Bart De Wever, made his own initiative implausible.
Meanwhile, Verougstraete is working on a new proposal, which he is expected to unveil on Tuesday morning. 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 does require the participation of the MR.
Brussels Open VLD leader Frédéric De Gucht © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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