Filip, King of Belgians, has appointed Bart De Wever (Flemish nationalist/N-VA) in the role of ‘formateur’. The formateur will lead formal negotiations on the formation of a new federal government with representatives of his own Flemish nationalist N-VA, Flemish socialist Vooruit, the Flemish and Francophone Christian democrats of CD&V and Les Engagés and the Francophone liberals of MR.
Home News
King Filip asks Flemish nationalist leader Bart De Wever to form Belgium’s next government (VIDEO)
Colin Clapson
Published:
Bart De Wever’s appointment as formateur for the new federal government had been widely anticipated. It is now up to him to put a federal coalition with the N-VA, Vooruit, CD&V, Les Engagés and MR on the rails.
"As soon as a formateur is appointed, the five parties can sit around the table on a daily basis," explains VRT’s political editor Ivan De Vadder. "There are still some hurdles to overcome, but at least you are starting to pick up speed and can start working."
It is the first time in Mr De Wever's two decades as N-VA party leader that he has been appointed formateur. In 2010, King Albert gave him the role of informateur, entrusting to him the role of establishing what was the best way forward, but after less than a month Elio Di Rupo (Francophone socialist) was handed that role.
Mr De Wever will report back to King Filip on 24 July and that is after the Belgian national holiday weekend.