Brussels' Dutch-speaking and French-speaking formators Elke Van den Brandt (Groen) and Christophe De Beukelaer (Les Engagés) will continue their "information mission" for another week, until the end of next week.
After liberal David Leisterh (MR) threw in the towel as formator on Brussels' French-speaking side and the Socialist Party (PS) – as the second largest faction in the Brussels Parliament – refused to take an initiative, Van den Brandt and De Beukelaer announced on Friday 21 February that they would be launching an information round.
"Thanks to the dialogues, bilateral meetings and informal contacts, all parties, even those that were furthest separated, were able to talk to each other again and reduce the tension and they were able to examine every possible scenario in more concrete terms," Van den Brandt and De Beukelaer stated in a joint statement.
They thanked all parties for their constructive cooperation, their contributions and their discretion. Additionally, they decided after mutual consultation to continue their information mission for another week, Van den Brandt confirmed to Belga News Agency.
Outgoing Brussels Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt. Credit: Belga/Nicolas Maeterlinck
The "informator duo" received all parties separately in the Brussels Parliament from Monday 24 to Wednesday 26 February. From Thursday, they organised dialogue tables "to ease the tension around themes or positions that are considered divisive or problematic by certain partners."
For example, an initial meeting took place between Ahmed Laaouej (PS) and Cieltje Van Achter (N-VA) – the latter confirmed, without elaborating on the content of the conversation. The PS veto against N-VA has been causing a total blockage of the Brussels formation for weeks.
During the school holidays this week, the dialogue tables and one-on-one discussions continued, even though not everyone was in the country. Fouad Ahidar, for example, was abroad but said that he was still making all preparations in case his Team Fouad Ahidar party would be called upon to be part of the coalition.
Another week, another round of talks
The consultation will continue next Tuesday. Monday will be reserved for the party boards to start the discussion on the second package of the provisional twelfths in the Finance Committee of the Brussels Parliament.
From Wednesday, a new series of bilateral meetings will take place between the informators and all parties with MPs in the Brussels Parliament, except Vlaams Belang, "so that each party can draw conclusions about their further involvement in the negotiations."
Van den Brandt said that the informators hope to be able to draw their conclusions by the end of the week about how to proceed with the formation of a new Brussels Government.
"Just like last week, the informators will handle the composition and content of the discussions discreetly and will not elaborate on this publicly in order to give the consultation every chance of success," their joint statement concluded.
Brussels Budget Minister Sven Gatz. Credit: Belga/Laurie Dieffembacq
Meanwhile, the outgoing Brussels Government decided to offer legal certainty to non-profit organisations, private companies and associations that previously benefited from an optional subsidy – despite the exceptional budgetary restrictions in caretaker affairs, announced outgoing Budget Minister Sven Gatz (Open VLD).
The measure applies in particular to scientific research, equal opportunities policy and the social economy. However, the total budget for optional subsidies will be reduced by 15% due to the difficult financial situation of the Brussels-Capital Region. Without a new government, the outgoing one will continue to work "in current affairs," meaning that the government must limit itself to strictly necessary decisions. Budgetary prudence is an absolute priority.
But the non-profit organisations, private companies and associations that previously received an optional subsidy from the Region also need legal certainty, since such subsidies are not considered mandatory within the rules of caretaker affairs.
Tightening the purse strings
In light of the complicated financial situation, the Brussels government has decided to grant a subsidy again, albeit with a reduction of 15% on the total of optional subsidies on an annual basis. The total budget of more than €150 million will therefore be reduced by €22.5 million, Gatz added.
"As Minister of Budget in current affairs, I want to give a certain perspective to non-profit organisations and companies, but with the necessary budgetary prudence. It is good that the Council of Ministers has followed me in this," he said.
The non-profit organisations, private companies and associations that are eligible must contact the services where they submit their application.
