Efforts to agree a new regional government team in Brussels are at a complete standstill for the next few weeks as the capital’s politicians head off on their summer holidays. Only after 15 August will talks - possibly - resume.
Home News
Brussels negotiators off on their hols despite no new government over a year after election
Colin Clapson
Published:
During the summer holidays, political activities are traditionally suspended. And this apparently also applies for the politicians keen to reach agreement on a new Brussels government. For the Brussels Parliament, the summer recess runs from 14 July to early September. Brussels ministers make do with a shorter break: from 21 July to around 15 August.
Despite the fact that the region’s political class has failed to establish a new administration ever since the 9 June general election in 2024 a similar holiday period applies for the Brussels government negotiators. "Right now nothing is moving," sources close to several parties involved in the formation drive tell Brussels media outlet BRUZZ. "Some negotiators are already on holiday now; others leave at the beginning of August. It seems unlikely anything will budge before 15 August," a French-speaking party official noted.
Francophone liberal supremo David Leisterh (pictured left) confirmed the news. "Until 15 August there is a pause, but the negotiators remain in contact with each other.’
The initiative to form a new Brussels government still lies with the Francophone liberal MR, the largest party, even after a failed attempt to unblock the situation by MR leader Georges-Louis Bouchez (pictured right). Mr Bouchez had wanted to cede a junior minister’s post to someone acceptable to the Flemish nationalist N-VA. The N-VA initially agreed but dropped out when it became clear that the party would not be allowed to join in with the formation negotiations.
Ever since there have been no more talks between the negotiators.
PM Vervoort remains as caretaker
Meanwhile, Rudi Vervoort’s caretaker government is still minding the shop. Prime Minister Rudi Vervoort (Francophone socialist PS) will remain in the country this summer and will not be replaced, his office says. A replacement is unusual in Brussels anyway. Urgent ministerial decisions can also be digitally signed from abroad, and in an emergency, ministers simply return from holiday.