The leader of Flemish socialists Vooruit, Melissa Depraetere, has said her party would be open to being part of a federal government. Party colleague Conner Rousseau said last week that it was unlikely Vooruit would enter a federal government alongside Flemish nationalists N-VA, Christian democrats CD&V, francophone liberals MR and centrists Les Engagés.
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Socialist leader says party is open to entering federal government after all
Sally Tipper
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Depraetere told the Krant van West-Vlaanderen on Thursday that it would in fact be conceivable for Vooruit to join such a coalition. “Provided the content is right,” she said. “The substantive differences between these parties are quite big. But I do think we should try. The question is whether everyone is willing to make an effort.”
She said Vooruit was willing to do so, but “would not budge on our core issues”. “The focus must be on strengthening purchasing power, and we are not going to cut back on healthcare,” she said. “That has to be clear from the start.” In relation to healthcare, Vooruit will probably find allies in CD&V and Les Engagés. Jean-Luc Crucke of Les Engagés reached out to CD&V and Vooruit yesterday on the issue.
Last week, former party leader Rousseau said he thought it unlikely that Vooruit would join a new federal government, saying that MR, Les Engagés, N-VA and CD&V “want to pursue policies diametrically opposed to those of Vooruit”.