The five "Arizona" parties involved in negotiations to form a Federal Government are caught on "just one more sticking point" in the "super note" – a list of socio-economic priorities drawn up by ex-formator Bart De Wever, according to the N-VA negotiator Jan Jambon.
Negotiations resumed on Monday, led by Maxime Prévot (Les Engagés) who was appointed as mediator by King Philippe after De Wever failed to bring the coalition parties to an agreement. De Wever (N-VA) resigned as formator after negotiations stalled on the issue of a capital gains tax on shares. Prévot is now trying to get things moving again.
"In a very extensive document, there was just one sticking point that we will try to resolve," Jambon said before his appointment with Prévot. "We will see what the other parties think but a lot of hard work has been done on that 'super note' and there was just one issue that we couldn't resolve last week. Hopefully we will succeed this week."
Georges-Louis Bouchez (leader of MR) was identified as the one who scuppered negotiations last week. Speaking on Friday, Bouchez insisted that it wasn't only the capital gains tax proposal that was problematic. But Jambon contradicted this on Monday. Previously, Prévot also said it was "a quarrel over a single measure" that led to the breakdown in negotiations.
Bringing parties closer together
After N-VA, Prévot met with CD&V leader Sammy Mahdi, who told press that the main issue is for Prévot to "get parties back around the table so Bart De Wever can continue his role as formator." Whether or not De Wever's super note will continue to serve as a basis is not an issue right now, Mahdi said.
Prévot wants a "serious reform government" to be formed as soon as possible. For that to happen, Prévot must identify the major stumbling blocks, Mahdi clarified.
As mediator, Prévot's mission is "to bring the different parties closer together so negotiations can resume swiftly." Prévot is expected at the Royal Palace next Monday (2 September) to report on his progress to the King.
Les Engageés leader Maxime Prevot. Credit: Belga/James Arthur Gekiere
This weekend, Prévot called on all parties involved in the formation to "get over their taboos" to work on a joint solution. Belgium can't afford "the luxury of a long standoff," he stressed.
Negotiations now seem to be continuing with the same five parties that De Wever brought together for the "Arizona" coalition. It is therefore possible that De Wever returns to take up his role as formator, as Mahdi suggested. If De Wever then succeeds in forming a Federal Government it is likely he would become Prime Minister.
