The New Year's message of the Flemish rightwing N-VA party's president, Bart De Wever, does not seem to have convinced Pierre-Yves Jeholet, the Brussels-Wallonia Federation president.
De Wever broadcasted his message from Mechelen on Saturday evening.
"He says he is available, but I think he has not necessarily shown that systematically in the past," Jeholet said when appearing on RTL-TVi programme 'Ce n’est pas tous les jours dimanche'. ('It's not Sunday every day')
Jeholet said he was "shocked" to hear De Wever’s "smarmy-toned" message. A tone that "dramatically changed on Saturday, including with regards to French-speakers and social-economic reform," he said.
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"If he had kept his promises in the beginning, we wouldn’t be here today," he commented. He mentioned the N-VA's concern that a majority could potentially be made without them. "I think the N-VA, through a series of statements and exclusives, has maybe made things difficult for itself."
However, Jeholet did not want to comment on the possible federal majorities, while royal informants have to submit a report to the King on Monday.
"The Flemish parties hold all the cards," he said, adding that the French-language parties have shown they can agree. "On the Flemish side, whether it’s Open Vld (liberal), the N-VA (rightwing) or the CD&V (centrist), the commitment is not as obvious," he added.
The Brussels Times
