After 3.5 years at the head of Belgium's Federal Government, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open VLD) would like the next government to count fewer parties than his current ideologically diverse seven-party 'Vivaldi' coalition.
In just over two months, Belgian citizens (and registered expats) will head to the polling booths to have their say in who should be in the next Federal Government.
"Our country needs a new dynamic, a new political narrative and a new coalition agreement. And so it is good that there are elections now," De Croo said in an interview with De Zondag at the weekend.
According to De Croo, the next government does not need the same seven governing parties (PS, Vooruit, MR, Open VLD, Groen, Ecolo and CD&V) as his current one. "My experience is that it is easier with fewer parties. So I hope the next government will have fewer parties," he said, stressing that it is up to the voters first. "After that, we will see."
'Cannot afford a standstill'
Additionally, De Croo hopes the government formation can progress quickly after 9 June. Forming the current Federal Government took 494 days of negotiations after a complex process that was only further complicated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
"You cannot afford a standstill today. After the elections, we have to form a new government as soon as possible. The foundations must be laid before people go on holiday," he added.
Despite the poor results for his Flemish liberal Open VLD party in the polls, De Croo does still see a role for his party in the next Federal Government. "We can go to the voters with a good report and we have put a plan for the future on the table. That is all you can do as a party. Now, it is up to the voters."
"The polls are not what they should be, but if you ask Belgians who they want as Prime Minister, I still seem to be at the top," he added.
