The formator for the Brussels Government David Leisterh (MR) will not hold a press conference at the end of his “last chance” consultations, his spokesperson announced on Friday afternoon.
It had been widely reported that a press conference would take place at 17:00 but a formal invitation was not issued. Leisterh is expected to provide an update on his work, and possibly the future of his mandate, through a statement.
"Despite all the strength and patience I have been able to muster, right up to the last hours before this press release, the positions of the various parties do not allow for the formation of a majority. Several partners have prevented any reasonable exploration of a solution. At this stage, I am therefore stepping aside,” Leisterh explained in a press release.
Despite a swift rapprochement between francophone parties MR, the Socialist Party (PS), and Les Engagés, talks broke down as PS refused to enter negotiations as long as Flemish rightwingers N-VA were at the table.
What next for Brussels?
It is not clear what will now happen for the negotiations in the Capital Region. Normally the right to lead formation talks would now pass to the party with the second-most votes. But since this is PS, which has so steadfastly opposed any discussion that includes N-VA, this looks complicated.
The PS leader for Brussels Ahmed Laaouej, who would be the candidate to lead the talks, has been strident in his hostility towards N-VA. Other solutions are now being investigated.
Meanwhile, businesses and NGOs are exasperated by the stalemate, which prevents executive decisions for the region being taken. At the same time, the capital region's finances are enormously strained and are currently continuing on a system of "provisional twelfths". This divides total expenditure for 2024 by 12 to calculate how much Brussels can spend each month in 2025.
Last week, Brussels MP and Minister in the previous Federal Government Karine Lalieux (PS) ruled out that PS Brussels leader Laaouej would take the baton from Leisterh. What's more, she suggested that Brussels could do with a mediator instead of a new formator.
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In a statement to Belga News Agency, PS indicated that only an initiative by parties that have everyone's trust could address the political crisis in Brussels, suggesting it is not capable of doing so itself. Leisterh previously stated it was essential for PS to take responsibility.
Following bilateral contacts and noting the extreme polarisation against it, the Brussels PS concluded that only a united effort by trusted parties could resolve the current crisis.
The Brussels PS pledged to contribute constructively to any initiative aimed at quickly forming a regional government with a stable parliamentary majority.
