Brussels' Dutch-speaking parties Groen, Vooruit and CD&V, and French-speaking party Les Engagés have entrusted Yvan Verougstraete, the new leader of Les Engagés, with the mandate to act as a "facilitator" to unblock the formation of a Brussels Government.
For 14 months, Brussels has been left waiting for a new government, despite various initiatives. "But the clock is ticking," said Verougstraete in a press release on Wednesday.
"The Brussels-Capital Region, in all its diversity and dynamism, is crucial to our country. We cannot allow it to deteriorate and be paralysed by political blockades," he said. "It is our duty to give the people of Brussels what they deserve: an ambitious project, a strong executive board, and solutions to daily challenges."
For this reason, Verougstraete is receiving support from greens Groen, socialists Vooruit, and Christian Democrats CD&V to act as a facilitator. The task is "to bring as many parties as possible to the table who are willing to engage in discussions about a positive project."
Responsibility
Next Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, Verougstraete will hold bilateral talks with all democratic parties. The goal is to "quickly draft a balanced memorandum and determine which parties are willing to initiate negotiations on that basis."
"The intention is to reverse priorities by first establishing an ambitious project and thus achieving the necessary majority," he said.
If a double majority (on the Dutch-speaking and French-speaking side) does not seem possible right away, the four parties intend to continue the substantive work, but with the goal of building that majority later, "based on a strong project and a sense of responsibility."
In that case, contact will also be maintained with the parties not present at the table "to maximise the chances of finding a balance that will make majorities possible."
MR's David Leisterh tried to find a Brussels Government for nearly a year. Credit: Belga/Eric Lalmand
The parties at the negotiating table will determine when the torch should be passed to a formator again. "The goal is for them to be able to establish a government before the start of the Brussels parliamentary year – on 15 September."
"Now it is no longer about testing majorities, but about building a positive dynamic," said Verougstraete. "A dynamic of a region that refuses to be paralysed and resolutely chooses progress. The end of summer will be decisive. Autumn must mark a new beginning. We share the same priority: bringing Brussels out of stagnation, rediscovering our pride, and putting the region back at the service of its residents."
CD&V called the appointment of Verougstraete a "positive step" in the quest for a majority. "We are giving Yvan Verougstraete this mandate because, as a centrist, he is a connector who will listen to all stakeholders and actively seek solutions to achieve a stable majority."
"His approach finally puts substance first: it is high time to work on concrete answers for greater safety and cleanliness, as well as more jobs and housing for the people of Brussels," said CD&V negotiator Benjamin Dalle. "For CD&V, structural reforms, budgetary discipline, and respect for bilingualism will be essential in the substantive discussions."
Dropping vetoes
Vooruit negotiator and Brussels State Secretary Ans Persoons said that "the only thing the people of Brussels are asking for is a solution that leads to a new government."
The party has expressed support for every step in the right direction and will adopt a constructive approach to give the new initiative every chance of success. "We no longer have the luxury of wasting any more time, so I hope others will also take this exercise seriously," said Persoons.
"If everyone drops their vetoes, we can finally talk about substance, because the people of Brussels deserve politicians who work towards a safer, healthier, and greener city," said Green Minister Elke Van den Brandt, who has been trying different approaches to get all parties around the table for months.
Ange-Raïssa Uzanziga, parliamentary secretary of Team Fouad Ahidar in the Brussels Parliament, responds that it's good that something is happening, because a government is urgently needed. "We welcome all initiatives. From the outset, we have taken a constructive approach."
"We have already demonstrated for a year that we are a party that others can work with. Things are going smoothly in parliament. We hope we will also receive an invitation," said Uzanziga. "All the vetoes make finding a solution more difficult. We hope reason returns."
Finally, Flemish nationalist N-VA says it will wait and see what the purpose of the new initiative is. "We are prepared to give every initiative a chance that leads to the lifting of the PS veto and therefore unblocks the formation process."
"We want respect for the Flemish majority and to reform Brussels into a clean, safe, and bilingual region with a sound budget," said Flemish Minister for Brussels and N-VA negotiator Cieltje Van Achter.
