Key federal government ministers are expected to meet this Sunday evening at 19:30 for a restricted ministerial committee, known as the “kern,” to secure a major “summer agreement” before Monday morning, according to government sources.
Bilateral meetings were held on Saturday and are scheduled to continue this Sunday afternoon, which will determine whether the “kern” meeting proceeds. On Monday, Bart De Wever will attend his first National Day engagements as Prime Minister.
Several significant issues remain unresolved, including Health Minister Franck Vandenbroucke’s framework law, which, among other things, reforms medical fees, and Employment Minister David Clarinval’s labour market reform law. Clarinval, representing the liberal camp, brings negotiations on easing end-of-career regulations to the table, following an agreement from the Group of Ten involving employers and unions, as reported by De Tijd.
Pension and tax reforms are also on the agenda. The climate plan requires finalisation, and the merger of police zones in Brussels is expected to be addressed early in the “kern” meeting, according to a source.
Some reforms have already reached an agreement, as the House approved Minister Clarinval’s unemployment reform last Thursday. Additional funds were secured for CPAS to the satisfaction of Les Engagés. Parliament passed the emergency prison law by Annelies Verlinden, despite public reservations from the MR president, and Annelies Van Bossuyt’s asylum restrictions. The government also approved Theo Francken’s strategic vision and munitions plan, as well as revisiting home inspections previously rejected seven years ago. Progress was made on Bernard Quintin’s police zone merger, and Élénore Simonet’s proposal to end weekly closure days, alongside the contentious capital gains tax linked to Vooruit’s coalition participation, was achieved.
