As explained yesterday, number crunching is driving discussions between political parties, who are calculating their chances in government if they can get the right partners on board.
Things are moving quite swiftly (with enough developments to justify another day of rolling coverage). Especially on the French-speaking side – where the liberal Reformist Movement (MR) came out as the biggest party in both Brussels and Wallonia – things have been simplified by the Socialist Party saying it won't enter into any government but will instead do a stint in opposition. For the Brussels region, francophone greens Ecolo has likewise ruled itself out.
Not that these announcements were especially problematic; MR has found a willing bedfellow in the centrist Les Engagés (LE) party and the pair can comfortably make a majority in Wallonia. As such, PS bowing out of proceedings is like saying you're not going to a party you were never invited to.
Eager to get cracking on implementing his party's campaign policies, MR leader Georges-Louis Bouchez has been champing at the bit to push formation discussions. In a joint press conference with LE leader Maxime Prévot on Tuesday afternoon, Bouchez boasted of their early success, calling it "unprecedented in terms of speed". This might be true, but the talks are usually so protracted in Belgium that it's not saying much.
Brussels is uniquely complicated in that the regional government is composed of French-language parties (72 seats) and Dutch-language parties (17 seats). MR and LE together have 28 seats, meaning they need eight more to gain a majority on the French-language side. The duo will require propping up from partners less politically aligned, with analysts foreseeing headaches and discord.
On the Dutch-language side of the Brussels equation, Groen is leading talks whilst the second candidate Fouad Ahidar has caused a stir. A defector from Flemish socialists Vooruit, Ahidar formed his own eponymous party and bagged three seats in the Capital Region. He's in with a strong chance of taking top regional position (minister for housing and social affairs is his stated preference).
In Flanders it looks as if the cordon sanitaire will hold, keeping Vlaams Belang out of the picture. But this will require concessions between partners and the biggest party N-VA. At present, Vooruit is tipped to add their 18 seats to N-VA's 31. But this will still be 14 short of a majority.
Finally at the federal level, we might be in for a wait as parties see how things pan out at the regional levels and could even put off the federal conundrum until after the municipal elections, on 13 October. During which time, the current Vivaldi government will continue as caretaker, fronted by De Croo.
Belgium in Brief is a free daily roundup of the top stories to get you through your coffee break conversations. To receive it straight to your inbox every day, sign up below:
1. 'I work for everyone': Who is Fouad Ahidar, the biggest surprise in Brussels' elections?
Unknown to many Brussels voters before the elections, Team Fouad Ahidar ended up being one of the biggest winners on Sunday, gaining three seats in its first electoral cycle. But who is the man behind the party and can he silence his critics? Read more.
2. Election aftermath: Kingmakers, deal-breakers, and will Flanders break with Belgium?
Belgium's seismic election day saw the nation's political pendulum swing to the right, though to varying degrees depending on the region. What coalitions could take shape is now central to public debate and as separatist parties top the results in Flanders, is Flemish independence really on the cards? Read more.
3. Meet the 22 new (and old) Belgian MEPs
The votes have been counted to decide who will represent Belgium in the next European Parliament, with initial results on Sunday showing Mouvement Réformateur (MR) has gained a seat to become one of the largest Belgian parties in the EU Parliament, matching the three seats each retained by Vlaams Belang and N-VA. Read more.
4. Post-Elections Live (day three): De Wever to become Federal informator
Good afternoon from Brussels! We are now on day three after the elections and things are moving quickly. The government formation processes across the regions are already in full swing (or even concluded in Wallonia). Follow the most important developments of Wednesday 12 June here. Read more.
5. 'A collaboration, not a fusion': MR and Les Engagés will work together in all governments
As the big winners among the French-speaking parties, francophone liberal party MR and the centrist Les Engagés have begun talks with the aim of quickly forming governments in the Walloon Region and the French-speaking Community (FWB). Read more.
6. 'Inspiring example': Belgian Amazon employees victorious in trade union elections
Amazon Web Services (AWS) employees in Belgium have been elected as trade union representatives for the first time ever. Read more.
7. Red Devils seeking a reboot at Euro 2024
Belgium’s so-called ‘golden generation’ is over and today the Red Devils are viewed as long shots to lift the European Championship trophy. Read more.
