The Flemish socialist party Vooruit has said that it is prepared to enter talks with the Flemish nationalist party N-VA and the Flemish Christian democrat party CD&V on the formation of a new Flemish coalition government. The party’s negotiating team will be made up of Vooruit’s leader Melissa Depraetere, former leader Conner Rousseau and the outgoing Federal Development Aid Minister Caroline Gennez.
Socialists prepared to enter talks on the formation of a new Flemish government
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Melissa Depraetere told journalists that “On 9 June voters voted for warmer and more social policies in Flanders. We asked the Informateur to give a clear signal that the parties that are currently in the Flemish government are willing to fundamentally adjust their policies. During the talks with Bart De Wever I have become confident that this willingness is there."
Ms Depraetere held talks with Bart De Wever (N-VA) on Tuesday. The Christian democrat leader Sammy Mahdi she did not comment after the meeting.
On Wednesday morning the Flemish socialist leader said that the document drafted (and amended) by Mr De Wever as a basis to start negotiations “contains clear openings to fundamentally adjust Flemish government policy in areas such as education, care, childcare, affordable housing, transport and climate”.
Nevertheless, Ms Depraetere added that there are still adjustments to be made. "In certain areas, we do not yet see sufficient concessions. The note is not a draft coalition agreement. It is, however, a clear signal that three parties are willing to negotiate for a warmer and more social Flanders in the coming months. Only if we see this willingness reflected in the coalition agreement at the end of the negotiations will Vooruit enter the Flemish government."
On Tuesday the Christian democrat leader Sammy Mahdi also that there were still adjustments to be made to the document drafted by Mr De Wever.