Brussels political deadlock widens as De Beukelaer of Les Engagés announces exit
Christophe De Beukelaer, a leading figure of the Brussels Les Engagés party, has announced he will leave politics this year. He told local media BRUZZ: “I like to look far ahead and prepare society for the future, but that is impossible in politics.”
His decision comes amid deep frustration over the government formation deadlock in Brussels, which has lasted more than 460 days. He briefly served as co-mediator with Groen politician Elke Van den Brandt. “The government formation saga influenced my decision because it exposed all the problems in politics,” he said.
De Beukelaer said he would not “abandon ship while it is sinking” and would remain in post until either a new government was formed or the budget for next year was adopted.
Meanwhile, attempts to break the stalemate have stalled. On Monday, Liberal negotiator Fréderic De Gucht invited most Brussels parties to a roundtable. However, key parties, including Ecolo, Les Engagés and CD&V, declined, citing irreconcilable differences with the Flemish nationalist N-VA in particular.
Frustrated citizens from Brussels’ civic councils are planning to greet parliamentarians with wilted flowers to symbolise the “fading state of democracy”. They accuse MPs of disregarding citizen-led proposals on mobility, cleanliness, and institutional reform.
“Politicians are treating our proposals like a shopping menu. That’s not how you engage with citizens,” said David Van Reybrouck, founder of G1000, an organisation that promotes democratic innovation in Belgium.
© BELGA PHOTO HATIM KAGHAT
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