MR’s Brussels coalition talks falter amid party pushbacK
MR’s attempt to restart Brussels coalition talks has already stalled. Key parties continue to push back against its proposed format and the inclusion of Flemish nationalist party N-VA.
The initiative of francophone liberal party MR to restart coalition talks in Brussels was doomed before it truly began. Talks initially scheduled for Wednesday to define a working method for forming a regional government were postponed to Friday, and now some of the ‘selected parties’ are already pushing back.
The francophone liberals aimed to bring eight parties to the table: Les Engagés, Ecolo, Défi, Groen, N-VA, Open VLD, Vooruit and CD&V. According to MR, these were all parties they considered potential negotiating partners. MR chairman George-Louis Bouchez even claimed that some, including Ecolo, had provided constructive feedback on the party’s 80-page policy proposal meant to relaunch the Brussels government talks.
However, it didn’t take long for some of these prospective partners to temper MR’s optimism. The inclusion of the Flemish nationalist party N-VA party remains a major stumbling block. “MR can’t force N-VA on us”, a Défi official told Bruzz. Ecolo had earlier accused MR of “forcing talks” and crossing “red lines” with its policy proposals.
Both parties have now indicated they will not attend Friday’s talks. While Les Engagés is still participating for now, it’s no secret that the centrist party also has concerns about MR’s approach. They, too, have told MR that a successful negotiation is likely only possible if N-VA is excluded.
By losing the socialist PS - whose Brussels leader Ahmed Laaouej has been most vocal in rejecting a coalition with N-VA - Bouchez and MR had hoped to clear the path for a right-leaning coalition. But the divide remains too wide. The MR project has proven stillborn, as ideological differences and political caution continue to paralyse progress.
Nearly a year after the elections on 9 June 2024, the path forward therefore remains unclear, and the coalition talks are as deadlocked as ever.
MR chairman Georges-Louis Bouchez © BELGA PHOTO VIRGINIE LEFOUR