As the formation of the Flemish Government progresses, formator Matthias Diependaele (N-VA) hopes to draw up a summary note by the end of this week. This document will form the beginning of a coalition agreement.
The three parties in negotiations to form the Flemish Regional Government – rightwing N-VA, socialist Vooruit and centrist CD&V – are holding their last thematic meetings on Monday (work, social economy, tourism and foreign affairs) and Tuesday (climate, energy and budget).
From Wednesday, the parties will hold internal consultations for three days. Diependaele will use this period to work out a summary note, with a proposal to resolve all remaining issues. An update of the budgetary table will also be made.
N-VA's Matthias Diependaele. Credit: Belga/Hatim Kaghat
On Saturday, Diependaele will receive Vooruit in the morning and CD&V in the afternoon. If that goes well, the three parties will reconvene on Monday and continue negotiations.
The aim is still to have a Flemish Government by the time the September Declaration (the annual government policy statement by the Minister-President) takes place in the Flemish Parliament, on 23 September.
Should a new government not be sworn in by then, outgoing Flemish Minister-President Jan Jambon (N-VA) will be expected to give the traditional speech.
