Seasoned Belgian diplomat Bernard Quintin has been appointed Foreign Minister in the absence of a Federal Government agreement. MR leader Georges-Louis Bouchez says there will be "no government before Christmas" but Belgium needs an international representative until then.
Outgoing Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib (MR) started her new role as EU Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis management and Equality on 1 December, meaning that the role needed to be filled even though Federal Government negotiations have not yet produced a coalition agreement.
MR nominated Bernard Quintin as an interim Foreign Minister on 30 November, with King Philippe swearing in the experience Belgian diplomat on Monday morning. MR leader Georges-Louis Bouchez says he is "the right person, at the right time, in the right place."
Speaking to reporters, Bouchez added that "there will be no Federal Government before Christmas" but Quintin's appointment "does not send the message that there is no faith in negotiations."
However, considering Donald Trump's presidential victory in the US, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and war in the Middle East, "the international situation makes it impossible to work without a full-time Foreign Minister, even for a few weeks."
Who is Bernard Quintin?
Newly appointed Foreign minister Bernard Quintin and King Philippe of Belgium during the oath taking ceremony at the Royal Palace in Brussels on 2 December 2024. Credit: Belga / Benoit Doppagne
"I am honoured by this proposal and the confidence it expresses," Quintin stated following his appointment. "I will do everything I can to continue Ms Lahbib's work. The coming weeks will be intense."
Quintin says he intends to to continue representing Belgian interests abroad and will prioritise standing with Ukraine as well as maintaining relations with countries in Africa and the Indo-Pacific, with a particular interest in upholding the rule of law.
Having studied history in university, Belgian media describe Quintin as a "connoisseur of Africa". He has served the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Warsaw, London and Kinshasa and has also worked in Belgium's Permanent Representation to the EU. He was a consul-general in Rio de Janeiro and has also worked for the European External Action Service (EEAS) as Africa Director.
His name was proposed to represent the EU in the Great Lakes Region in Africa but his appointment was blocked by Rwanda, likely in retaliation for Belgium's refusal to accredit its ambassador Vincent Karega.
When asked about Belgium's intention to respect the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Quintin reaffirmed Belgium's compliance with the court's decisions.
Still no government
Belgium has been without a government for almost six months. Bart De Wever (N-VA leader) is federal formator and is responsible for cobbling together the 'Arizona' coalition, made up of N-VA, MR, Les Engagés, CD&V and Vooruit.
Negotiators stayed around the table until 05:00 on Monday morning this weekend, and while progress has been made, there is still no overall agreement.
N-VA leader Bart De Wever talks to the press after a meeting to discuss a possible coalition for the Federal Government. Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
De Wever will meet with the King again on 10 December but hopes for a consensus by then are slim. The political impasse becomes more problematic given Belgium's budgetary situation, as the country is in the midst of an excessive deficit procedure for a growing debt that exceeds EU limits.
Despite the deadlock, Bouchez says a vote on budgetary questions this month is a possibility, even without an overall government agreement. "The end of the year deadline is still relevant," he said.
