After larger parties announced they would not be making use of their legal right to attempt to form a new city cabinet up in Antwerp, the right of initiative has now arrived at the far-right Vlaams Belang party. Vlaams Belang says that unlike Antwerp’s second party, Communist PVDA, socialist Vooruit and ecologist groen, it will make use of its right of initiative. The party is eager to form a city cabinet with Flemish nationalist N-VA and Christian democrat CD&V, but it’s unlikely either of these parties will show much enthusiasm for a party that is beyond the pail for most politicians. Bart De Wever’s N-VA is already involved in talks with socialist Vooruit with a view to forming a new city cabinet.
Local elections: the initiative is now with far-right Vlaams Belang in Antwerp
Colin Clapson
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‘I don't understand why the other parties immediately throw in the towel,’ says Filip Dewinter (Vlaams Belang). ‘We intend to talk to N-VA and CD&V, if they want to.’ Mr Dewinter does not feel bound by the 14 days granted to his party by law to conclude negotiations.
‘I don't want to anticipate what the answer I will get from Mayor Bart De Wever (N-VA) will be,’ Mr Dewinter says. ‘Surely it cannot be the intention that N-VA and Vooruit simply disregard the new legislation? Mr De Wever would be ignoring a law passed by his own party. So I assume that N-VA will talk to us, but of course I have few illusions about a coalition.’