The legislative elections in Belgium took place on June 9. Since then, there is still no federal government in the kingdom. However, the elections marked a victory for the right and the center-right, including in French-speaking Wallonia, traditionally more to the left.
2 mins
With our correspondent in Brussels, Jean-Jacques Héry
In a country with a government coalition, this suggested that negotiations were going to be much easier than usual, with a less heterogeneous alliance of parties, promising the very rapid conclusion of a government agreement. And yet, discussions between the five parties around the table – Flemish and French-speaking – trying to form a majority coalition have now dragged on for more than 6 months… We now hope for an agreement and a government by the beginning of January, after these 6 months and almost 200 days without a government.
The Belgian media can no longer count the number of visits by the leader of the Flemish conservatives (N-VA), Bart De Wever to the royal palace. That of last Friday was the 14th according to some, the 16th say others for the one who was named “ trainer » in charge of coalition discussions.
It is for this reason that the leader of the N-VA, the Flemish conservatives, must regularly report to King Philippe on the progress of the negotiations between the five parties theoretically ready to reach an agreement.
Around the table, the conservatives of the N-VA, the Christian Democrats and the socialists on the Flemish side, the liberals of the MR and the centrists on the Walloon side.
Also listenBart de Wever, the new strong man in Belgium
Disagreements on budgetary issues
And despite daily meetings, there are always disagreements, mainly on budgetary issues. 20 billion euros would need to be released to clean up the Belgian accounts. But with what savings, and what additional revenue? This is the whole question when the liberals refuse any tax increase, when the centrists and socialists are reluctant to make savings on the federal health system, the right to asylum or even unemployment insurance.
Even if for the moment, we are still far from the 2010-2011 record with 541 days without a government. The King of the Belgians seems to be starting to get tired, saying he hopes “ a decisive breakthrough in early 2025 “. The meetings are due to resume this Monday and there is no doubt that the phones of Belgian politicians will heat up during the holiday period.
Also readIn Belgium, European elections overshadowed by local elections