Flemish Government’s nominee for Prime Minister Matthias Diependaele (N-VA) is aiming to finalise the last seven working groups by the coming Friday 2 August.
Diependaele, who also serves as the Budget Minister in the outgoing government, has been engaged in forming an N-VA, Vooruit, CD&V coalition since the mid-June elections.
Of the nineteen thematic working groups established, twelve have concluded their tasks, with the remaining seven groups expected to finish by 2n August. The focus early this week will be on education, health, and the environment.
Outstanding issues within these groups will be referred to the central working group, scheduled to reconvene on 14 August. Notable discussions include subjects like nitrogen emissions, service vouchers, and registration rights. Diependaele hopes to complete all tasks before 20 September.
The same September deadline has been given by N-VA President and Federal Government nominee, Bart De Wever (N-VA). His central group will meet again on Monday afternoon, and a number of thematic working groups are also expected to convene on the same day.
Before the weekend, De Wever presented a comprehensive note on the labour market, taxation, and pensions, sparked by a confirmed report from Standaard. Major reforms are anticipated in these areas, likely to be discussed within the central group, which includes party chairmen, chief negotiators, and experts.
Governments have already been in the Germanophone, Walloon, and Brussels-Wallonia Federations. The Brussels Government formation is lagging behind. On the Francophone side, MR, Engagés, and PS are still in preliminary talks possibly leading to negotiations; on the Dutch-speaking side, Groen is struggling to form a coalition with Open Vld, Vooruit, and CD&V.
