After a Friday dedicated to security discussions, representatives from will meet non-stop throughout the weekend to again discuss the budget and the super-note from government formator Bart De Wever.
This note, revised in mid-November to bring Vooruit back to the table, includes three major reforms: labour market, taxation, and pensions.
An agreement on these reforms by Sunday is "not impossible," according to those close to the negotiators.
Last weekend, the leaders of the five parties had already discussed the budget issue. Although they didn’t reach an agreement overnight from Sunday to Monday, progress was made in what was described as constructive negotiations.
It was then estimated that an effort of 18 billion euros was needed to restore public finances. Two-thirds of this effort would come from spending cuts, with the remaining third from other measures.
A third of these "other measures" would include contributions from the wealthiest, a significant topic for Flemish socialists.
This week, working groups met again to review major socio-economic reforms. This weekend, party leaders will negotiate these points.
An agreement is "not impossible," they say. Next week’s discussion agenda will depend on progress made by Sunday.
However, an agreement on the budget and the super-note would not indicate the imminent formation of a comprehensive government agreement. Other issues still need to be discussed.
Federal Government formator Bart De Wever is expected to report his progress to the King next Tuesday, 10 December.
Meanwhile, the Finance and Budget Committee of the Chamber must vote next Wednesday on provisional funding for the first three months of 2025.
