Ministers in the newly-formed Flemish Government have been announced after a coalition agreement was concluded between right-wing N-VA, socialists Vooruit, and Christians and Democrats CD&V in the early hours of Saturday morning.
As Minister-President, Matthias Diependaele will preside over Flanders' "most female" government yet, with six of the nine ministers being women, including two of the three deputy minister-presidents – Melissa Depraetere (Vooruit) and Hilde Crevits (CD&V). This is the most female-dominated formation possible under current laws, with women making up two-thirds of the cabinet.
The new executive is comparatively young, boasting an average age of 46.5 years, slightly younger than the 48-year average of the former Jambon government.
N-VA
The Flemish nationalists will once again oversee education, with Zuhal Demir taking over from her colleague Ben Weyts. Annick De Ridder will serve as Minister of Mobility and Sport. Cieltje Van Achter will represent the interests of Brussels in the Flemish Government and will also be competent in media matters.
Diependaele himself will be in charge of the economy, sciences and innovation, external policy, and building management.
Cieltje Van Achter (left), Zuhal Demir (centre), Annick De Ridder (right). Credit: Belga
Vooruit
Melissa Depraetere will become Vice-Minister-President and will deal with matters relating to housing, energy, climate, tourism, and youth. It is the first time the 32-year-old will hold an executive role.
Her colleague Caroline Gennez (currently Federal Minister for Development Cooperation) will become the Minister in charge of welfare, reducing poverty, culture, and equal opportunities.
The selection of these two women is not surprising, as both have led negotiations for the Socialist Party alongside Rousseau. Depraetere also succeeded Rousseau as the party leader last year during his brief fall from grace.
Vooruit will also hold the presidency of the Flemish Parliament, though the appointee is yet to be announced. Further details are expected on Monday.
Vooruit's Melissa Depraetere (left), chairman Conner Rousseau and Caroline Gennez (right) during a member congress to discuss and vote the proposed agreement reached on the formation of a new Flemish government, Saturday 28 September 2024. Credit: Belga
CD&V
Hilde Crevits and Jo Brouns will continue as ministers in the new Flemish government, sources confirmed on Sunday.
Jo Brouns, the current Agriculture Minister, will also oversee the environment portfolio, combining both areas into a single ministry. Previously, these competencies were separate, with environmental issues handled by Zuhal Demir. Brouns will address issues at the intersection of agriculture and environment, including nitrogen emissions, water quality, and environmental permits.
Hilde Crevits, presently the Deputy Minister-President under Jan Jambon, will maintain her position in Diependaele's administration. Additionally, she will manage internal administration, integration, and society affairs.
Both ministers played roles in the CD&V's negotiations for the new Flemish Government agreement.
CD&V's Hilde Crevits and Jo Brouns during a member congress of Flemish Christian democrat party CD&V, Sunday 29 September 2024 in Vilvoorde. Credit: Belga
An uneasy union
The government agreement hardly finalised, tensions already surfaced among partners of the new Flemish majority. During the N-VA party congress, Zuhal Demir strongly criticised comments made by Conner Rousseau.
On Saturday, Rousseau had proudly told Vooruit members he had "defended like Thibault Courtois to block those ugly measures from the N-VA and their social dismantling."
"That simply shouldn't be said," Zuhal Demir responded, labelling Rousseau's remarks as "ugly." Flemish Minister-President Jan Jambon also expressed his displeasure with such comments.
He reminded that as coalition partners, they would need to work together for the next five years.
