Bart De Wever highlighted the "negotiation strength" of Georges-Louis Bouchez during the government formation upon his arrival at the European summit on Monday.
The liberal’s imprint on the government agreement suggests a better collaboration than during the previous legislature, the new Belgian Prime Minister stated.
"He has left his mark on the government agreement, which changes the situation," De Wever said upon arriving at the Egmont Palace, where a meeting of European heads of state and government dedicated to defence was taking place.
Some have accused Georges-Louis Bouchez of pursuing a policy of "participation-opposition" in recent years, despite his party, the MR, being part of the Vivaldi coalition.
After negotiating the government agreement with the Arizona parties, Bouchez was expected to become Minister of the Interior. However, he ultimately decided not to join the cabinet, unlike his counterpart from Les Engagés, Maxime Prévot, who becomes Minister of Foreign Affairs.
"Georges-Louis Bouchez is a very strong man. He wrote many paragraphs and influenced every part of the government agreement. He knows what’s in it and what’s behind it," said De Wever.
Having him in the government "would have been an asset", but "each party decides who they send," he added.
"David Clarinval, appointed Minister of the Interior, is an excellent man, so I can work just as well with him," concluded the N-VA leader.
De Wever is attending the informal European defence summit in Brussels. He will have lunch with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and dine with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
