Bart De Wever’s goal is clear: as soon as possible after the elections the leader of the Flemish nationalist N-VA partywants to install a scaled down federal government to put federal finances in order. This is also a cabinet that the Mayor of Antwerp is eager to lead in person as federal prime minister.
N-VA’s Bart De Wever warns of the danger of Vlaams Belang as Belgium’s biggest party
Colin Clapson
Published:
If we get the right election result, Mr De Wever says, that plan could be implemented quickly and formation talks could be completed as early as September. Mr De Wever, however, also warns against a scenario in which the far-right Vlaams Belang becomes the largest party in Flanders. “If the far-right becomes the biggest party in Flanders, summer will be here in no time as so will Vivaldi 2, (a second outing of the current seven-party centre-left coalition led by PM De Croo).”
To prevent other parties from using this as an excuse to sideline the N-VA in federal coalition talks, Mr De Wever has also repeatedly made it clear that he does not intend to form a coalition with the far-right Vlaams Belang for the Flemish government.
Mr De Wever also advises local N-VA mayors to avoid collaboration with Vlaams Belang as much as possible. Quizzed about the advice he would give to his (potential) mayors by VRT this morning, he thrice replied : "Collaboration with Vlaams Belang is the quickest way to Vivaldi 2."
Provincial, municipal and district council elections take place on 13 October.