Brussels parties reach coalition agreement 613 days after elections
MR, PS, Les Engagés, Groen, Anders, Vooruit and CD&V reached an agreement on the formation of the next Brussels government on Thursday evening, 613 days after the June 2024 elections. The future minister-president has not yet been announced.
The seven parties had entered into conclave on Tuesday morning at the University Foundation. Formateur Georges-Louis Bouchez said at the outset that negotiations would only conclude once an agreement had been reached on a budgetary path towards balance by 2029.
That objective has now been met, according to Anders chair Frédéric De Gucht. The Flemish liberal said Brussels would receive "the real reform government it needs". The region is set to become more efficient, simpler and financially sound, including through mergers of various administrations and institutions, he said.
Groen chair and outgoing Mobility minister Elke Van den Brandt said the Good Move mobility plan would remain in place, as would the low emission zone. "Ensuring that Brussels remains a liveable city is the green stamp on this agreement," she said in a press release.
De Wever is sceptical
N-VA, the party of Belgian prime minister Bart De Wever, will not be part of the new government. In an initial reaction following the European summit in Alden Biesen, De Wever said he was "a little sceptical" about the coalition’s ability to put the Region’s finances in order.
"From my perspective as prime minister, I am particularly interested in the restructuring of Brussels, which has a huge deficit," he said. "If this new government succeeds in this, I will be happy."
Party conferences are scheduled for Thursday evening, where members will vote on the draft coalition agreement. The new government is set to be sworn in on Saturday.
© BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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