MR leader Georges-Louis Bouchez will not be in the Federal Government, he told RTBF. He says he does not want to abandon his "liberal family". Earlier, his name circulated for the Interior post.
Bouchez confirmed to RTBF that he will not be part of the new Federal Government, saying that he does not want to "abandon his liberal family." He will remain MR's party leader.
On Monday morning, MR announced the names of its ministers in the De Wever government. Outgoing Deputy Prime Minister David Clarinval will remain in the post, with the portfolios of Employment, Economy and Agriculture.
Meanwhile, the outgoing Foreign Affairs Minister Bernard Quintin becomes Minister for Interior Affairs, also responsible for the federal development body for the Brussels-Capital Region Beliris.
Brussels MP Eléonore Simonet becomes Minister for the Self-Employed and SMEs. Additionally, MR is also responsible for the Energy portfolio, which will be held by Federal MP Mathieu Bihet.
This means that the composition of the new Federal Government is now known in its entirety. The ministers are due to be sworn in before the King at 09:00.
Prevot 'confident' Bouchez will not disrupt
New Deputy Prime Minister and Les Engages leader Maxime Prévot, expressed his hope on Monday that MR leader Georges-Louis Bouchez will show the same commitment to stabilising the De Wever team as he does for his party.
"I respect his choices. I understand that it is his way of ensuring the stability of his political party. It is important for me to ensure that there will be the same consideration for the stability of government action," said Prévot on La Première (RTBF).
Under the Vivaldi coalition, Bouchez's positions had occasionally destabilised Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. "We are all aware that the dynamics of the De Croo government have suffered significantly from these public statements, and I believe that Georges-Louis is aware of this," Prévot added. "I am quite confident, based on the discussions we have had in recent weeks and months, that everyone will do their utmost to make this government successful," Prévot concluded.
Prévot has decided to step down from the party presidency and the mayoralty of Namur to become Deputy Prime Minister in the Arizona government, and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation.
Bart De Wever is also stepping down as leader of the N-VA to head the government. However, Vooruit leader Conner Rousseau and CD&V President Sammy Mahdi will remain at the head of their parties without joining the federal executive.
