The breakthrough may be significant, but no agreement has yet been signed. And for good reason: this quadripartite, which includes the N-VA for the first time in the history of the Brussels Region, does not only have support.
The PS does not want the N-VA…
This Friday, on BX1, Brussels MP Martin Casier (PS) came to temper the enthusiasm around the Brussels negotiations. The presence of the N-VA in the Brussels government would be difficult for Groen and the PS to accept, he explained, without however announcing a veto.
Behind the scenes, the socialists, but also the Engagés, are therefore pleading in favor of a Dutch-speaking coalition made up of Groen, the Open VLD, Vooruit and the CD&V, which would keep the N-VA in opposition.
This track, we are told by reliable sources, is one of those on the table of trainer Elke Van de Brandt. “The PS does not want to govern Brussels with the N-VA… This is why there is also on the negotiators’ table the possibility of a coalition without the N-VA, but with the CD&V. This track is preferred by PS and Groen. According to the latest feedback, Benjamin Dalle (leader of the Brussels CD&V) would be willing to agree to join the government in place of the N-VA, in the formula proposed by the Open VLD”tells us a Dutch-speaking source.
Another question arises: why would the Open VLD, which has already made a significant sacrifice, agree to cede the post of Secretary of State to the CD&V, when the Flemish Liberals have twice as many seats as the Christian Democrats ( Editor’s note: two seats against one)?
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The Open VLD does not require CD&V…
For the moment, the Open VLD very clearly rejects this coalition path without the N-VA, considered too short and unstable. This Dutch-speaking majority with the CD&V would in fact only hold one seat.
The instability of Groen’s group of Brussels deputies is also pointed out by some. “Lhe first substitute for Groen, Ange-Raïssa Uzansiga, moved to Team Ahidar. So at the slightest defection of an environmentalist deputy, the Dutch-speaking majority would fall. And what’s more, MP Celia Groothedde is a sort of free electron with a completely independent position, which would make this coalition too fragile.”points out a Brussels source.
Faced with these difficulties, the possibility of creating a fourth post, with a new Dutch-speaking Secretary of State, is not yet buried, certain sources tell us.
An obstacle, certainly, was removed on Thursday by the Open VLD, and the situation was clarified since Fouad Ahidar announced on Friday that he was joining the opposition. But there are still difficulties to overcome.
However, the situation, some negotiators hope, could settle down in the coming days.
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