Francophone supremo in Brussels David Leisterh is resigning as formateur and leaving national and regional politics he announced in a video message. “Our political system, as it functions today, no longer provides a solution to the emergency situation in Brussels,” he says.
Leisterh, who was tasked with forming a new Brussels regional government, says he needs a break after 16 gruelling months. He will remain on as mayor of Watermaal-Bosvoorde.
Brussels still has no new government since the 9 June poll in 2024.
“I gave it my all, but the task is neigh impossible,” David Leisterh told VRT NEWS.
“I've been working on this for 16 months, I've tried everything, but I can see that the task is almost impossible.” That's how David Leisterh (Francophone liberal MR) motivated his resignation to VRT NEWS. “In recent days, it has been almost impossible to reconcile the views of all parties.”
Leisterh does not feel that he is abandoning Brussels. “I would have felt that way if I had resigned a few months ago. Now I have really done everything I could and given it my all. But I am no longer the person who can turn the tide.”
The Brusseler also says he made the decision for health reasons. “I am now going to focus on my 6-month-old daughter, whom I have hardly seen in recent months, and on my mayorship in Watermaal-Bosvoorde.”
What about Brussels? “I am convinced that there is still hope, but I don't see it at the moment. I do hope that my resignation will trigger something, so that people become aware of the need to take difficult measures. I hope that it will soon lead to a government. But for me, it's over now.”