Filip, King of Belgians, has confirmed Flemish nationalist leader Bart De Wever (N-VA) in his role as formateur for another two weeks. Mr De Wever’s brief is to continue talks with political leaders with a view to forming a new Belgian government, which he will lead. The royal palace announced the news after the king met with Mr De Wever this morning.
King Filip gives formateur Bart De Wever another 2 weeks to finish the job! (VIDEO)
Colin Clapson
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"The king notes that there is as yet no breakthrough in the formation of a new government but that talks are ongoing. On that basis, he has decided to reaffirm Mr De Wever in his post and grant him 2 weeks to break the deadlock" the palace says.
De Wever will report back to the king on 25 November.
In recent weeks Mr De Wever has been speaking with representatives of five parties: his own Flemish nationalist N-VA, Christian democrat CD&V and socialist Vooruit as well as with the Francophone liberals of MR and centrists of Les Engagés. At one point Flemish socialist Vooruit made it clear it is unwilling to continue talks on the basis of Mr De Wever’s super memorandum policy document. One of the reasons given is what the socialists see as a reluctance to get Belgium’s wealthiest to contribute more to forthcoming austerity. Mr De Wever has now agreed to continue talks with these five parties and to change his approach. Talks will now focus on tax policies with Vooruit demanding of the centrist and right-leaning parties what it believes is a more equitable sharing of the burdens.
Earlier the Christian democrats and centrists blocked off plans to involve Flemish liberal Open VLD in the talks and end co-operation with Vooruit.
Quizzed about why Mr De Wever had been granted a further two weeks to explore the present format VRT’s Bart Verhulst says: “At present there is no alternative, and everybody is aware this is the case”.
