A series of interviews featuring Flemish socialist leader Conner Rousseau (Vooruit) have upset other parties hoping to form the new federal government. Mr Rousseau is being accused of lying and the other parties are seeking a clear signal from Vooruit that it is still seriously considering joining the federal government. Francophone liberal leader Georges-Louis Bouchez (MR) would like to see Flemish liberal Open VLD replace Vooruit at the negotiating table, but so far, he is the only leader to be calling for this openly.
Is socialist Vooruit really up for it or could the Flemish liberals be dragged to the table?
Colin Clapson
Published:
On Monday morning, formateur Bart De Wever (Flemish nationalist N-VA) failed to find a way out of the deadlock that has dogged his efforts of forging agreement with the Flemish nationalists, Christian democrats and socialists and Francophone liberals and centrists, the ‘Arizona parties’. Vooruit was unwilling to negotiate further on the basis of the plans currently on the table.
Open VLD is not enthusiastic but does not say no
At the same time, a few kilometres away, Flemish liberal Open VLD that was decimated in the election held its weekly executive meeting. The current situation was discussed.
‘We are not going to help out Arizona,’ Flemish liberal leader Eva De Bleeker told French-language daily Le Soir on Saturday. ‘It is up to those who won the elections to govern.’ The Flemish liberals are not eager to join in but are not completely closing the door on cooperation either.
Open VLD realises that ideologically they are a better fit than the socialists in a coalition with other centre-right parties. ‘If the formateur calls, Eva will definitely pick up the blower. We are willing to listen,’ the liberals say. ‘But nobody in our party says: we absolutely have to join.’
The liberals want to avoid appearing too eager to enter government. ‘We should not reinforce the perception that we always want to join the government and at any cost,’ says a member of the party leadership. Until there is an invitation from formateur De Wever, the liberals are waiting on the sidelines. Leader Eva De Bleeker has declined to comment further.
Is Vooruit still up for it?
Whether an invite for Open VLD could be on the cards depends first and foremost on socialist Vooruit. The other parties are seeking a signal from Mr Rousseau indicating that the party is still willing to form a new government with the four other centre-right parties.
According to Vooruit, that is still the case. Who is responsible for the break-down in talks is still the subject of intense debate. According to Mr Rousseau, his party was ‘pushed out’. Vooruit does want to form a government with N-VA, MR, CD&V and Les Engagés, the socialists say but other parties are doubtful.
Outraged at Rousseau's interviews
There are certainly doubts after Monday night's televised interviews with Conner Rousseau. His appearances on VRT and VTM News, set off recriminations by the other parties.
Mr Rousseau complained there was a lack of proportions in the formateur’s proposals: He pointed to cuts in pensions and what he claimed were too limited contributions from the wealthiest. His rivals dismissed his claims as ‘total garbage’, platitudes and half-truths.
Only Bouchez really wants Open VLD there
At the moment MR leader Georges-Louis Bouchez is the only leader who really wants his Flemish sister party to join them at the table.
Flemish Christian democrat leader Mahdi was clear: bringing in the Open VLD was not up for discussion for the Christian Democrats. CD&V and Les Engagés would then become the most left-wing parties in the coalition.
For the N-VA too, it is far from obvious to bring Open VLD on board. To put it mildly, Bart De Wever has shown little sympathy for the liberals. The entire N-VA election campaign was directed against the Open VLD and outgoing prime minister Alexander De Croo, the liberal figurehead of the outgoing Vivaldi coalition, is so detested by Mr De Wever.
No Flemish majority
Moreover, Mr De Wever would then have to give up one of his party’s major principles, one with which he has taunted several previous administrations: the absence of a Flemish majority in parliament to back the government. N-VA, Open VLD and CD&V together do not hold half the seats of Flemish lawmakers in the House of Representatives. That majority is not mandatory, but very important for the N-VA.
Only 76 out of 150 seats
A government with N-VA, CD&V, Open VLD, MR and Les Engagés only has an extremely tight majority. Together, the parties hold 76 out of the 150 seats in the lower house and might struggle to govern Belgium.