"Ecolo will not be part of a Brussels majority", stated Climate Minister Zakia Khattabi, the lead candidate for the French-speaking environmentalists in the capital in the most recent regional elections.
"Ecolo has scored its lowest. I can’t see a scenario where we would disregard voters message," commented Khattabi on the RTBF’s Matin Première.
During the electoral campaign, Ecolo often came under attack from MR. The green party now refuses to be the "variable" that allows MR to take power in Brussels, Khattabi added.
"The campaign was tough. The two major parties have been divisive. They divided to rule. Now, let them rule."
On Sunday, MR regained its status as the leading French-speaking party in the Brussels Region which gives them the initiative to negotiate for the formation of a new regional majority.
Les Engagés, who are now in a coalition with the liberals to form a new Walloon Government and French Community Government (Federation Wallonie-Bruxelles), also made significant progress in Brussels.
However, the two parties do not have enough seats to form a government alone on the French-speaking side in Brussels. Therefore, a third French-speaking partner is essential to establish a new majority.
On Monday, PS announced their choice to be in opposition after their electoral decline, without entirely closing the door to discussions in Brussels. Nonetheless, the socialists have no intention of "compromising their programme," they warned.
If not with the PS, another solution for MR and Les Engagés could have been to form a Brussels majority with DéFI and Ecolo, the two major losers of Sunday’s elections. This solution now dissipates with Khattabi’s unequivocal standpoint on Wednesday.
Following their electoral defeat on Sunday, the two Ecolo co-leaders Jean-Marc Nollet and Rajae Maouane submitted their resignation on Monday.
When asked on Wednesday whether she would be interested in the co-presidency again, Khattabi, who was a co-leader of the party between 2015 and 2019, dismissed this possibility. For her, it is better to let the young generation emerge as leaders of the party.
Groen follow suit in Flanders and Federal
The Flemish Green Party, Groen, will not participate in any federal or regional Flemish government majority, according to the party's co-chairs.
"We won't prop up a right-wing government," Nadia Naji and Jeremie Vaneeckhout confirmed on Wednesday, affirming the party's decision to sit in opposition both federally and in the Flemish Region.
The Greens were the first to meet with King Philippe at the Royal Palace of Brussels on the third day of consultations to form a future government. Their oppositional stance was clearly stated.
"They want to touch people's budget. We don't," added Jeremie Vaneeckhout.
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