Who is Matthias Diependaele, the new minister president of Flanders?
After a negotiation session that lasted well into the night, N-VA, Vooruit and CD&V reached an agreement on the new Flemish government on Saturday morning. Matthias Diependaele, until now best known for his work as Flemish minister for Budget and Finance, will be thrust into the limelight as the region's new minister president.
After graduating in European and international law, Diependaele began his political career in 2007 as an assistant to MEP Frieda Brepoels. He was elected to the Flemish Parliament in 2009 and became leader of the N-VA parliamentary group in 2013. Thanks to his work in parliament, he was appointed minister for Finance, Budget, Housing and Immovable Property in 2019.
Diependaele is known for his dedication to politics, leaving little time for hobbies. In the N-VA's member magazine, he described Flemish nationalism as his main political motivator. Not from a historical perspective, like N-VA leader Bart De Wever, but from a neo-liberal point of view: Diependaele feels there is too much bureaucracy in Belgium and is a firm believer in the free market.
Boring and trustworthy
Diependaele's methodical approach to managing the Flemish budget has earned him the respect of both allies and opponents. It has also given him the reputation of being a boring accountant. But Diependaele is also seen as approachable and cooperative, which may help him in his role as head of the Flemish government.
While his skills as a minister are undeniable, it remains to be seen whether he can also perform in a leadership role, where he has little experience. And some fear he will be a front man for De Wever, the federal formateur who has an tight grip on Flanders' largest party.
"During the negotiations, he listened to our problems and tried to position himself as the leader of a team"
For now, at least, he has the benefit of the doubt from his coalition partners, who say he acted "correctly and trustworthily" during the government formation talks. "During the negotiations, he listened to our problems and tried to position himself as the leader of a team," Vooruit MP Hannelore Goeman told De Morgen.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO JAMES ARTHUR GEKIERE
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