The Flemish Liberal Budget Minister in the Brussels-Capital Region’s outgoing regional government, Sven Gatz has resigned. Mr Gatz’s successor is the current Director-General of the regional taxation agency Brussel Fiscaliteit Dirk De Smedt.
Mr Gatz has been suffering from health problems for some time. The long-drawn-out and as yet fruitless attempts to form a new regional government have meant that Mr Gatz had to remain in his post for much longer than he might have expected.
Now, more than 16 months after the regional elections and with still no indication that a new regional coalition government will be formed, Mr Gatz has decided to call it a day.
The news has come as a surprise as the time is somewhat inopportune, given that negotiations are currently underway on a budget for the Brussels-Capital Region.
Dirk De Smedt
Dirk De Smedt is Mr Gatz’s successor as Budget and Finance Minister. The 50-year-old is currently the Director-General of the regional taxation agency Brussel Fiscaliteit. In a press statement Mr De Smedt’s party, the Flemish liberal party Open VLD said ‘
“With years of experience gained in his current position, his replacement should be able to take over Minister Gatz's responsibilities without delay and ensure continuity with his expert knowledge”.
Mr De Smedt has been head of the agency that is responsible for the management and collection of regional taxes since 2012. He is seen as a close ally of the Chair of the Brussels branch of Open VLD Frédéric De Gucht. Mr De Gucht is favourite to become the new national leader of Open VLD once the leadership elections votes have been counted on Friday.