Flemish Christian Democrats (CD&V) have stated they cannot support the severe, harsh cuts to healthcare proposed by Flemish nationalists N-VA, who are leading talks after securing the largest vote share.
Federal Government negotiations between five parties – led by Flemish right-wing nationalists N-VA – are continuing, almost one month after the election.
This was reiterated on Friday by CD&V leader Sammy Mahdi, upon arrival at the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) headquarters, where a five-party coalition, known informally as the ‘Arizona’ coalition, is receiving briefings on healthcare and pensions.
Federal preformator Bart De Wever scheduled various information sessions this week for negotiators from N-VA, Vooruit, CD&V, MR and Les Engagés. Earlier, they discussed budget challenges, defence and nuclear energy.
On Friday, they turned to pensions and healthcare — two topics which have caused disagreements among the parties. Both MR and N-VA want to reduce spending in these areas, but other parties are resisting substantially.
MR's Georges-Louis Bouchez ringing the doorbell at the N-VA headquarters in Brussels. Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
"We cannot abandon the people", Mahdi stated, regarding the proposed budget cuts in healthcare. "We have already made it clear that we cannot agree to such severe, deep cost-cutting" he continued.
The readiness of CD&V to form a government will be clearer in the coming days, according to the leader Mahdi. "It depends on all five of us. We need to ensure there’s enough mutual benefit to motivate participation," he explained. Fiscal reform and net income increase at the end of the month were stated as key considerations for CD&V.
Flemish socialists Vooruit appears most hesitant to join a government. Whether they are ready is a question negotiator Conner Rousseau could not answer on Friday. "That depends on what’s on the table. Currently, there’s not much on it, so I’m curious," he said upon arrival. "We are mainly here to listen."
Rousseau reiterated the importance of the average Flemish person not suffering because of the policies of the next government. "Challenging years are ahead and we want the burdens to be distributed fairly," he stated.
Vooruit's Inti Ghysels (C) and Vooruit's Conner Rousseau (R) arrive for a meeting between representatives of political parties N-VA, Vooruit, CD&V, MR and Les Engages in Brussels on Friday 05 July 2024. Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
Les Engagés leader Maxime Prévot agreed with Vooruit's sentiments on healthcare. "We understand the enormity of what's at stake... both for the system's sustainability as well as the quality and proximity of care," Prévot offered.
MR is ready to form a government, repeated party leader Georges-Louis Bouchez. "If we have a good will, we can establish agreements, but these must be discussed at the table," said the liberal. He suggested that Bart De Wever could be appointed Formator on Wednesday, when the N-VA leader meets the king to report on his Preformator task.
Alongside Mahdi, Rousseau and Bouchez, others present on Friday included David Clarinval (MR), Vincent Van Peteghem (CD&V), Peter De Roover (N-VA) and Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit).
