Cracks emerge in MR’s ‘wonder solution’ for Brussels government
Just one day after new hopes emerged of unblocking the Brussels government talks, the first signs of trouble are already appearing.
On Sunday, the francophone liberal party MR announced a breakthrough deal with socialist PS and Flemish nationalists N-VA to resume coalition talks with six parties. A workaround, where MR gives up a state secretary position to an independent figure approved by N-VA, was meant to solve months of political deadlock. But on Monday, it became clear that the "wonder solution" may not be as solid as it seemed.
PS and N-VA appear to disagree on key parts of the agreement. While N-VA insists it must have a representative at the negotiating table, PS is refusing to allow any N-VA presence during talks.
Cieltje Van Achter of N-VA said on TV that her party expected to choose the state secretary and to have a say in the coalition programme. “You can’t expect us to implement a deal we weren’t allowed to help shape,” she said.
Les Engagés and Groen tried to play down the tensions, but admitted that there are different interpretations of the deal, not only on the N-VA issue but also on the process and timing.
Yvan Verougstraete of Les Engagés said it would take “a bit more time to get everyone on the same page”. Similarly, his colleague Christophe De Beukelaer said a full deal by the national holiday on 21 July was unlikely.
Christophe De Beukelaer and Yvan Verougstraete of Les Engagés © BELGA PHOTO MARIUS BURGELMAN