Forming the Brussels-Capital Region Government is becoming more complicated as the Flemish Christian Democrat (CD&V) leader in Brussels, Benjamin Dalle, is pushing to involve rightwing N-VA in the formation talks.
Dalle and his party have been the missing link in finding a coalition on the Dutch-speaking side of the Brussels Government, but it is becoming clearer by the day that CD&V do not intend to join a majority with Groen (greens), Open VLD (liberals) and Vooruit (socialists).
"Involving N-VA seems like a logical step to me," Dalle told Bruzz. "That party will take the lead in the Flemish Government and perhaps also in the Federal Government: we really need that cooperation, for example in the field of the teacher shortage and childcare, but also safety, justice or construction agency Beliris."
Radical policy changes
With N-VA instead of Open VLD, both the next Flemish Government (N-VA, CD&V and Vooruit) and the possible Federal "Arizona" Government (N-VA, CD&V, Vooruit, liberal MR and centrist Les Engagés) would be reflected at the Brussels level, supplemented by Groen.
"At least you would not have the continuation of the current blue-red-green parties. You'd then have a party at the table that also wants to radically change policy, just like CD&V," he said. "It is incomprehensible and unprofessional that Brussels formator Elke Van den Brandt is not thoroughly investigating that option."
To find a majority on the Dutch-speaking side of the Brussels Government, Van den Brandt (Groen) has already brought together her own party with Open VLD and Vooruit. These three also formed the Dutch-speaking majority in the previous coalition and want to continue governing together, but are just one seat short after the elections.
The previous Brussels Government pictured during a meeting for mayors of major European cities to discuss the Urban Policy in the European Union, on Wednesday 24 January 2024 in Brussels. Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
Therefore, the three parties have been looking to CD&V as a fourth partner. "That remains the most coherent, realistic and workable formula," Van den Brandt repeatedly said.
However, with only three ministerial positions to be divided among such a four-party coalition and CD&V being the smallest party in the majority, they would miss out. The idea of creating a new position to rectify this, such as a government commissioner, has proven to not be enough for Dalle.
"I am explicitly not interested in a post as government commissioner. And once again: we are not going to join that blue-red-green coalition," Dalle said.
Meanwhile, on the French-speaking side, liberal MR, socialist PS and centrist Les Engagés have found a majority, but have to wait for the Dutch-speaking parties before the negotiations can truly get off the ground. As a result, Dalle is being blamed for blocking the entire Brussels Government formation negotiations.
Ignored priorities
On Monday, the six parties hoping to form the government all set around the table together for the first time to analyse the budget – even without a Dutch-speaking majority. CD&V was also welcome but declined the invitation.
"It is ironic that I should have to take responsibility for a budget that was derailed by those exact blue-red-green parties. I have seen for myself how those parties have functioned," Dalle said. "The previous government was the worst one since the creation of the Brussels-Capital Region."
Additionally, he pointed out the priorities for his party, which he said the previous government failed to deliver on. "Far too little has been done to activate the unemployed, to tackle the drug and safety problems, and to contain the housing crisis. Additionally, no institutional reforms have been implemented.”
Fouad Ahidar (giving thumbs up) and N-VA's Cieltje Van Achter (below) pictured during the oath ceremony. Credit: Belga/Hatim Kaghat
Even if a new government agreement were to be negotiated with CD&V, "those parties must also effectively implement the agreements, even those without a real ministerial position," Dalle said. "You cannot sign decrees or give instructions to administrations. In short, you have no real political power. I will not accept that."
Therefore, Dalle assumes CD&V will be in opposition for the upcoming five years. Unless he can support a coalition with N-VA. "I think that formator Van den Brandt should properly consider the other options. With Team Fouad Ahidar on the one hand and with N-VA on the other."
However, MR (the biggest party in the Capital Region) previously expressed its veto against Team Fouad Ahidar as it believes the party "wants to bring religion back into politics" – creating a large stumbling block in the formation process. This just leaves the N-VA option, but it is no secret that neither PS nor Groen is jumping for joy at a collaboration with the Flemish nationalist party.
Nuances, not differences
Dalle, however, wondered which "problematic positions" Van den Brandt would encounter with N-VA, but not with CD&V. "CD&V and N-VA certainly differ from each other in terms of confederalism and the institutional vision of Brussels but when I look at the Brussels priorities such as activation of the unemployed, bilingualism, security approach and more efficient governance, I do not see major differences but rather nuances."
Still, Dalle is unsure about whether he wants to enter into a coalition with N-VA and without Open VLD – in which he would still miss out on a ministerial position as the fourth and smallest party. "I will first have to look at the project. But for various reasons, a composition with N-VA makes more sense to me."
