Despite 184 days (or half a year) without a new Belgian Government, formator Bart De Wever (N-VA) remains in charge of leading the federal negotiations. He is expected to give another progress report to the King on 20 December.
De Wever went to the Royal Palace on Tuesday after a meeting with the 'Arizona' party leaders of liberal MR, centrist Les Engagés, socialist Vooruit and Flemish Christian Democrats (CD&V). Over the past few days, it became clear that there was frustration among the latter three parties about De Wever approach.
While the Flemish nationalist leader wanted to push ahead with an agreement on the budget, Les Engagés, Vooruit and CD&V were reluctant to commit to a budget plan without knowing the concrete reforms behind the figures.
MR leader Georges-Louis Bouchez with a t-shirt which appears to have a watch and "time" written on it, as he arrives for a meeting to discuss a coalition for the Federal Government, on Tuesday 10 December 2024 in Brussels. Credit: Belga / Jonas Roosens
'From dusk till dawn'
The negotiators met again on Tuesday afternoon before De Wever was expected at the Royal Palace, but it is unclear what was achieved in the last-minute meeting. Despite criticism of the N-VA leader's methods, the party leaders agreed that he should continue to lead negotiations.
De Wever will have until at least 20 December, when he will have to report back to King Philippe.
While the parties still claim they would like to form a new Federal Government before Christmas, behind the scenes negotiators are raising questions about whether that date is still realistic.
On Monday, CD&V leader Sammy Mahdi and Vooruit negotiators Frank Vandenbroucke called for tough negotiations in the coming period to meet their self-imposed Christmas deadline, saying "seven days in seven, from dusk till dawn."
