According to MP Conner Rousseau, Vooruit will probably not join forces with the N-VA, the MR and the Engagés to form the federal government. But is this statement a strategic choice?
The chances are slim that Vooruit will participate at the federal level in a coalition which would associate Vooruit, the N-VA, the MR and the Engagés, according to the deputy and candidate to once again become the president of the Flemish socialists, Conner Rousseau, interviewed on VTM.
Mr. Rousseau targeted the savings proposals put forward by the MR and the N-VA during the electoral campaign while large assets would be preserved.
“There is little chance that we will participate in this“, he warned. “If they call us to save 5 billion euros in health care, it’s not even worth it.”
The socialist refuses to enter into a logic of savings “for which the average Flemish person would pay the full price” and which would not include the big fortunes.
A strategy?
According to political scientist Dave Sinardet, Conner Rousseau’s exit is probably strategic. “These could be statements that are made to raise the stakes a little.“, he said. “To also show the backbenchers that we are not simply going to join a center-right coalition. Because logically, in the back bench, there is a little nervousness, worry.”
Theoretically, Vooruit could be replaced by the Flemish liberals Open VLD in a federal coalition. These five parties barely obtained a majority, 76 seats in Parliament. “Mathematically, it’s a majority, but we are really dependent on each individual parliamentarian“, says the political scientist. “So, in fact, it is politically infeasible with such a short majority.“
Especially since the Open VLD is one of the big losers in the elections in the north of the country. Its president announced Tuesday that he did not intend to participate in a government.
elections 2024 conner rousseau vooruit
