The formation of the Brussels Government will be on hold for the coming weeks. Talks will only properly resume after 15 August.
During the summer holidays, political activities are traditionally suspended: the Brussels parliament's summer recess runs from mid-July to early September, and Brussels ministers are also on a reduced schedule for almost a month after the National Holiday: from 21 July to approximately mid-August.
The negotiators trying to form a new Brussels Government will take it easy for a similar period, several parties told Bruzz. "Nothing is happening at the moment. Some negotiators are already on holiday, others are leaving in early August. It seems unlikely to me that anything will happen before 15 August 15."
This was confirmed by David Leisterh, the Brussels leader of the Francophone liberals MR. As his party won the most votes after the election on 9 June last year, they have been tasked with taking the lead on government negotiations. "There will be no live talks around the table until 15 August, but the negotiators will remain in contact with each other via Teams or Zoom."
Despite the recent failed attempt by MR's federal leader Georges-Louis Bouchez, the initiative for forming a Brussels Government still lies with MR. Bouchez wanted to give a state secretary to someone "N-VA compatible." Flemish nationalists N-VA initially agreed to this, but negotiations broke down when it became clear that the Francophone socialist party PS would not be allowed at the negotiating table.
Meanwhile, it remains up to the outgoing government to keep an eye on things: outgoing Minister-President Rudi Vervoort (PS) will remain in Belgium this summer, his cabinet has announced. Either way, urgent ministerial decrees can also be signed digitally from abroad. Or in emergencies, ministers simply return from vacation.
