The Flemish liberals of Open VLD have indicated that they are possibly open to talks about participation in a new federal government, but then the four parties already involved in the talks – Flemish nationalist N-VA, Flemish Christian democrat CD&V, Francophone liberal MR and Francophone centrist Les Engagés - must first decide and make it clear what exactly they want to ask Open VLD. Former Flemish liberal leader Egbert Lachaert made the opening on VRT TV this afternoon.
As the water between left-leaning socialist Vooruit and the 4 other centre-right negotiating parties appears too deep, Open VLD could come on board and help the federal formation process advance. Together these parties would have a narrow – one seat - majority in the federal parliament. The Flemish liberals are pretty centrist, economically on the right, but socially progressive.
A request to come to the negotiating table has not yet formally been made, says Flemish MP and former Open VLD leader Egbert Lachaert. Moreover, it is unclear to him what the others want from the Open VLD.
‘If the country explodes, and the budget derails further, month after month, we are responsible democrats and people have our phone number’ Mr Lachaert told VRT.
‘Formulate a clear request and say what you expect from us, but when one of the party leaders appears on TV and says we are not wanted there, then I'm not quite sure what the request is at the moment.’
Mr Lachaert is referring to CD&V leader Sammy Mahdi, who on Monday said a coalition with Open VLD was not negotiable for him, because it would result in too tight a coalition that does not reflect the election result.
On this last point Mr Lachaert completely agrees with him: Open VLD does not have the initiative because the party clearly lost the elections. Still, the Flemish liberals would be prepared to talk if there is a clear and formal request from all other parties.