Flemish minister for Brussels and Brussels N-VA negotiator, Cieltje Van Achter, has called on the French-speaking socialists and green parties (PS and Ecolo) to come to the table to form a government.
David Leisterh, Brussels formator and MR leader, is leading a final round of negotiations to break the impasse in the Brussels Government formation. This week started with a meeting with his Dutch-speaking counterpart, formator Elke Van den Brandt (Groen) and Flemish liberals Open VLD.
This was followed by talks with Christian Democrats CD&V, socialists Vooruit and right-wing N-VA on Tuesday. The French-speaking parties then had their turn, starting with PS on Wednesday, and finally Ecolo and centrists DéFi in opposition.
Van Achter emphasised the importance of these negotiations after a "constructive discussion" with Leisterh. She stressed that Brussels faces significant challenges which need urgent attention. The city's future – both as the capital of Europe and a key business hub – is at stake.
False hope
There was hope on the horizon for a breakthrough on Wednesday, after a successful meeting with PS. PS leader Ahmed Laaouej had hoped that CD&V would join the Dutch-speaking coalition instead of N-VA. PS left the negotiating table after it was announced the Dutch-speaking majority would include N-VA.
Van Achter highlighted that CD&V member Benjamin Dalle is satisfied with the Flemish majority as it stands, and insisted that the Francophones should not undermine the Flemish majority.
She also expressed her bewilderment at Laaouej's refusal to engage with her. She reminded him that she has a decade of experience in constructive opposition in Brussels, and asserted that it is her capital as much as his.
Van Achter called on PS and Ecolo to take part in the discussions, warning that failure to do so would worsen the current chaos. Leisterh has already threatened he would resign from his position as formator if these last-chance talks don't lead to a coalition. This would bring talks back to square one.
