The political bureau of the Socialist Party (PS) in Brussels reiterated its demand for MR informers to put forward a precise programme to address the city’s economic, social and environmental challenges, in light of any possible coalition.
The French-speaking socialists stressed this should be attached to a detailed multi-year budget path, which does not follow a harmful austerity regime for the Brussels society. They promulgated this through a statement released via the Belga agency. The PS also highlighted their own priorities, specifically the complex issue of housing.
Based on a report from recent political contact with Brussels leader of PS, Ahmed Laaouej, the bureau was informed about the information provided by MR who wish for a majority agreement with the PS and Les Engagés. However, their proposal is not accompanied by a prior, detailed encounter with all political parties represented at the Brussels Parliament.
Regulating rent rises
The PS stated that, due to the missing programmatic outlines and a precise budget proposal, there is no suitable basis for initiating a formal negotiation leading to regional government formation.
The Socialist Party reemphasised their main programme priorities. In particular, the regulation of the private rental market was stressed as an important way to respond to the unjustified rent rises in Brussels and reinforcing social housing policy to support the most vulnerable families.
Furthermore, they advocated maintaining ambitious public investment policies, which would ensure the fulfilment of regional climate commitments. They specifically cited the enhancing and extending public transportation network, renovation of homes and public areas, including an inclusive mobility policy that respects local residents.
The PS also pointed to sectors suffering shortages – such as the HoReCa, non-mercantile, hospital, home help, and construction – as priorities for economic redeployment strategy. They called for increased training and better working and wage conditions for both employees and independent workers.
The PS is pushing for a social cohesion policy focused on neighbourhoods, strengthening the fight against school dropouts and poverty, and promoting health prevention and frontline actors, as well as access to culture and sports.
Lastly, the Brussels chapter of the Socialist Party (PS) calls for a security and prevention policy requiring additional funding for local police areas from the federal state, to address a shortage of 800 officers. This would also demand the reinforcement of the services it oversees (Federal Judicial Police, the Prosecutor’s office, customs, ISI).
Next Brussels government
In both Brussels and Wallonia, MR and Les Engagés are in the process of getting closer to form a majority. However, in French-speaking Brussels, these two parties categorically exclude collaboration with the PTB. They favour the only possible three-party formula: with the PS.
Up until now, this approach has been discreetly handled by MR's Brussels leader David Leisterh and the party leader Georges-Louis Bouchez, who have initiated an information mission as heads of the winning party in the regional elections held on 9 June.
Within the PS, sources revealed on Friday that Ahmed Laaouej has only been provided with a three-page document so far. Two pages are dedicated to the budgetary component, and one page outlines overall objectives.
In Dutch-speaking Brussels, entry into the majority of Team Fouad Ahidar, second in the election with three seats – is currently dismissed.
This is not as much by formator Elke Van den Brandt as by other actors who could or might have been considered for a tripartite, namely, Open VLD, Vooruit and the N-VA. As we learned on Thursday, the head of Groen decided to continue her contacts with Open VLD, Vooruit and CD&V, to try to form a four-party majority (or 9 seats out of 17).
Therefore, at this stage, we are still some way from a multilateral coalition negotiation between French-speaking and Dutch-speaking formations.
