Brussels Mouvement Réformateur (MR) leader David Leisterh, who is currently leading talks to form a regional government, has expressed annoyance at a €300 million loan granted by the outgoing Brussels government to the Housing Commission of the Brussels Capital Region (SLRB).
According to Le Soir, the loan had been blocked by DéFI Minister Bernard Clerfayt since January, a move that pushed the public operator responsible for coordinating social housing companies into financial difficulty. The loan was reportedly released in exchange for a €12 million credit grant on Thursday.
Clerfayt's cabinet rejects the suggestion of any political bargaining and claims the two transactions' timelines do not match. In any case, Leisterh has criticised these significant fund releases and the fact they occurred less than two weeks after elections.
"The Brussels government in current affairs continues to accrue debt despite a call for change from voters," he told Belga News Agency. "It should exhibit limited responsibility, not irresponsibility."
'Lack of fiscal rigour'
A Belgian government 'in current affairs' refers to the outgoing government that resides over power following elections. It is generally limited to carrying out administrative tasks and making routine (or urgent) decisions.
In this context, Leisterh believes the loan is "a blow to Brusseleers who voted for change" and "a political choice that no longer belongs to the outgoing government". The 2024 budget had taken the sums into account but to release them after elections constitutes "a major political act" that "attempts to weaken the next government".
Leisterh added that he was "shocked by the lack of fiscal rigour" throughout government formation negotiations. "The government is taking advantage of the fact that the new deputies have not yet sworn in to evade any democratic control. I demand it stops the financial bleeding immediately."
