Flemish Christian democrat CD&V says the new proposals from Flemish formateur Matthias Diependaele (Flemish nationalist/N-VA) are ‘insufficient’. CD&V leader Sammy Mahdi told VRT News his party feels that the proposals provide too few places in childcare and that too little is invested in care for the elderly and people with disabilities.
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‘Brats in power’ say N-VA sources as Mr Diependaele struggles to form new Flemish government
Colin Clapson
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A strong reaction is expected from Flemish nationalist N-VA. Consultations are going on at the moment. There is talk about ‘brats in power’ says VRT's Anne Vanrenterghem. 'People are very angry; trust has completely gone.’
Political scientist Bart Maddens is not surprised that the Flemish formation process has stalled:
‘What is happening now is what everyone predicted before the 9 June elections,’ says Bart Maddens, political scientist at Leuven University. ‘Back then, people were already saying: don't expect a federal - and probably not a Flemish - government before the local elections on 13 October, because everyone will want to seek out the limelight, especially on the more difficult issues'.
For CD&V, that includes care. Party leader Sammy Mahdi says formateur Diependaele's draft accord contains too little investment in care, but CD&V is reportedly also left hungry on other points.
‘There’s the nitrogen agreement and the future of the countryside,’ Maddens says. Topics that the CD&V bet heavily on in the elections. ‘Why would CD&V suddenly want to make concessions on these themes now, just before the local elections?’
According to Maddens, ‘the trauma of 2019’ is also unsettling the CD&V. ‘Back then, everyone felt that the party had not negotiated well, and people pointed to then-leader Wouter Beke. Sammy Mahdi does not want a repeat.
Voouit wants to see new Flemish government before 13 October
Conner Rousseau, leader of Flemish socialist Vooruit, has appealed to both N-VA and CD&V to continue the negotiations. The party isn't entirely happy with the proposals on the table and is upset by CD&V's decision to communicate via the media. Vooruit still has hope a new Flemish administration can be in be installed ahead of the local elections.
On Wednesday afternoon Mr Diependaele invited both Vooruit and CD&V to fresh talks on Thursday. Both parties accepted. 'I believe we made a balanced proposal' Mr Diependaele said 'but it can still be discussed'.