Elections 2024: De Croo wants to form centre-right government, N-VA warns of Vlaams Belang victory
On the last Sunday before the elections, Belgium's political parties made their final pleas to voters. On the talk show De Zevende Dag, prime minister Alexander De Croo said he wanted to form a government without Vooruit and Groen. Meanwhile, N-VA leader Bart De Wever warned about Vlaams Belang's record on gender identity and sexual freedom.
De Croo, of liberals Open VLD, said on Sunday that while the current coalition of liberals, Christian democrats, socialists and greens had "governed well", it was now time for the centre-right parties to unite after the elections. His ideal government would include N-VA, MR, Open VLD, CD&V and Les Engagés.
The left-wing parties that are part of the current "Vivaldi" government have strongly criticised him for this. Groen minister Petra De Sutter said she was disappointed by his statement and that the formation of a progressive bloc was the only way to avoid the "social demolition" that could be on the horizon. "You are Vivaldi, be proud of it," said Conner Rousseau of socialists Vooruit.
'Confederal revolution'
Meanwhile, during a party event at Planckendael animal park in Mechelen, N-VA leader Bart De Wever issued a warning to Vlaams Belang, referring to controversial statements made by Vlaams Belang leader Tom Van Grieken on gender identity and LGBTQI+ rights. De Wever said the N-VA "has a heart for every Fleming" and "respects the free sexual identity of every human being".
He also called for a new reform of the state. "We are the party that has the only realistic plan to achieve a confederal revolution," he said. "You don't have any other choice because Wallonia is bankrupt and the [previous] state reform will make things even worse."
"Wallonia is bankrupt and the [previous] state reform will make things even worse"
To achieve this, he wants to join forces with Wallonia's MR and Les Engagés. The leaders of both parties have publicly said they are not opposed to a new state reform, provided that it corrects the mistakes of previous reforms and does not lead to the end of Belgium as a country.
State reform requires a change in the constitution, and that in turn requires a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives. According to the latest polls, this will be impossible without the help of one of the extreme parties, Vlaams Belang or PVDA/PTB. Together they are expected to win more than a third of the seats.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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