As the Flemish socialist party Vooruit agreed to give the talks to form the Federal Government "a fair chance" following a meeting on Tuesday, preformator and leader of the rightwing N-VA Bart De Wever will likely be appointed as official "formator" on Wednesday.
Since the elections of 9 June, De Wever has been trying (first as an "informator" and for the last two weeks as "preformator") to form a Federal Government. On the Flemish side this would involve his N-VA party, Vooruit and centrist CD&V; on the Francophone side it would include the liberal MR and centrist Les Engagés parties.
This coalition would reflect the regional government formations: N-VA, CD&V and Vooruit in Flanders; MR and Les Engagés in Wallonia. Both regions are currently carrying out intense negotiations.
Compromise and red lines
While very little information about the federal formation talks with De Wever is leaking to the press, a source told Belga News Agency that discussions are constructive, with De Wever making efforts to attend to the demands and red lines of all involved parties.
However, in recent weeks Vooruit has put the brakes on negotiations. As the only party of the left (without the support of its French-speaking sister party PS), Vooruit finds itself alone among centre-right partners. It would face PS, the Greens and the radical left PTB-PVDA in opposition.
Vooruit has insisted on guarantees that no cuts will be made to the healthcare sector and protections for the purchasing power of working people. It is also pushing to ensure that those with greater financial security contribute more to State finances.
While the party leaders of the envisaged coalition have been meeting for informal information sessions over the past week, Tuesday's meeting aimed to convince the Flemish socialists to give the go-ahead, allowing full-fledged government negotiations to proceed.
Following the meeting with De Wever, Vooruit's Conner Rousseau said that "an objective shift" had happened, which is why the party is now ready to give the negotiations a fair chance. "The party has given us the confidence for a best-efforts commitment," he explained. In other words, if things go the wrong way during the negotiations, Vooruit can still leave the table.
N-VA leader Bart De Wever talks to the press during the post-election meeting. Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
Jan Jambon (one of N-VA negotiators) believes there is a chance that De Wever can officially start forming the government from Wednesday. "I think it is doable," Jambon told reporters before the talks on Tuesday afternoon. "It is a crucial moment now. I hope that every party is willing to negotiate because the country needs a government."
Other party leaders were also positive after the meeting. MR leader Georges-Louis Bouchez said there is more agreement between the parties currently negotiating than there were for the previous "Vivaldi" Federal Government. "In terms of security, migration and even the labour market, they can do more with us than with the PS and the Greens. There are enough elements to move forward."
Party leader of Les Engagés Maxime Prévot said that his party "fully agrees" to start negotiations now: "We are ready to form a new government as quickly as possible."
Formator?
CD&V leader Sammy Mahdi said that Tuesday's meeting was a "good conversation", adding that "there was a constructive attitude in the room". He said that all parties were eager not to go around in circles.
CD&V is satisfied with De Wever's concessions in the negotiations: "Our priorities – fiscal reform and healthcare – have been sufficiently taken into account. We have an opportunity to do great things."
Preformator De Wever is expected at the Royal Palace at 10:00 on Wednesday. Now Vooruit indicated that negotiations can start, he could possibly leave his meeting with the King as formator – meaning he can officially start leading the negotiations for the coalition agreement. Should that be the case, it becomes increasingly likely that De Wever will also become Prime Minister.
