The leader of francophone liberal party MR, Georges-Louis Bouchez, has rejected the final proposal by formateur Bart De Wever on the formation of Belgium’s next federal government. De Wever is scheduled to report to King Filip on Thursday evening.
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Federal government formation talks on the brink as liberal party rejects final proposal
Sally Tipper
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Talks between the five parties expected to form the next national government first stalled on Sunday night over the introduction of a capital gains tax on shares. MR rejects the measure while socialists Vooruit will not agree to join a government without it.
De Wever, the leader of Flemish nationalists N-VA, held bilateral talks on Wednesday without achieving a breakthrough and there were no further in-person discussions on Thursday, only telephone conversations.
Following the rejection by Bouchez, the next steps in the formation process are uncertain. De Wever is due to report to King Filip at 20.15 at the palace. His mandate as formateur was extended on Monday, but it now seems likely he will step down from the role.
De Wever had hoped to have a government in place by 20 September. Belgium is one of the few member states not to have nominated its candidate for the post of European Commissioner and must do so by 30 August. The Commission also expects a plan on how Belgium will tackle its growing budget deficit by 20 September.