Brussels liberal leader calls for federal intervention to break regional deadlock
Brussels is currently experiencing the most severe political stalemate in decades. For 15 months, political parties in the capital have been unable to establish a regional government. David Leisterh, leader of the French-speaking liberal party MR in Brussels, has suggested an extraordinary solution: to use Belgium’s federal parliament to call new elections.
In an interview with La Libre and La Dernière Heure, Leisterh argued that only a two-thirds majority in the federal chamber could trigger new regional elections, since the Brussels Assembly itself cannot be dissolved. He acknowledges that this would be a significant challenge, but insists that all options should be considered after such a prolonged period of deadlock.
Leisterh also suggested that this could be an opportunity to reform Brussels’ electoral system, including its veto rules and language-group majorities. To illustrate his point, Leisterh drew a comparison with the federal level, claiming that the prospect of returning to the polls had prompted Vooruit's socialists to resume negotiations. He added that this pressure does not exist in Brussels.
Leisterh’s proposal comes as the Flemish liberal party Open VLD launched its own attempt to lead the talks. Frédéric De Gucht, the party's Brussels negotiator, began contacting potential partners after rejecting a coalition plan put forward by Les Engagés earlier in the week.
Great divide
The French-speaking Socialist Party (PS) has pushed back, warning that De Gucht’s initiative could undermine ongoing mediation efforts. Yvan Verougstraete, the Les Engagés facilitator, has already put forward a draft coalition agreement, which the PS continues to back.
In a statement, the party said: “The Brussels PS continues to support the coalition plan he has proposed, and calls on all parties, including Open VLD, to accept the invitation and begin negotiations on the content and budget." The fact that the MR has now proposed new elections suggests that a new Brussels government is not yet in sight.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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