Tensions in Belgium are high today, as there might be light at the end of the tunnel for the country's next Federal Government before the weekend begins.
Led by formator Bart De Wever (N-VA), the negotiators from the so-called 'Arizona' parties (right-wing N-VA, liberals MR, centrists Les Engagés, socialists Vooruit and Christian Democrats CD&V) have been in a multi-day marathon meeting since Wednesday – hoping to find an agreement by the time De Wever is due to meet the King on Friday evening.
Negotiations went late into the night on both Wednesday and Thursday, with De Wever reportedly starting bilateral talks with the individual delegations of every party just after midnight last night.
At around 08:00 on Friday, negotiators convened again to discuss the socio-economic issues included in De Wever's 'supernote', parts of which were leaked to the press in recent weeks. This includes charged topics such as the budget, pensions and taxes.
However, discussions have seemingly been slow-going and some of the most difficult topics have yet to be broached.
In the days and weeks leading up to Friday, De Wever made it clear that his appointment with King Philippe would be a "make or break" moment: if he cannot present the King with an agreement tonight, he will throw in the towel.
What do you think? Will Belgium start February with a new Federal Government?
Belgium in Brief
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5. What to do in Brussels this weekend: 31 January – 2 February
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6. Holocaust denier tribute at Flemish Parliament exposes ‘dark soul of Flanders’
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7. Five years after Brexit: What future for EU-UK relations?
Five years after Brexit, we are now faced with the question of how to reorganise relations, writes Sandro Gozi MEP, chair of the EU-UK delegation in the Parliament. Read more.
