The socialists rely on the fact that the Dutch-speaking proposal “does not fall within the terms of the special law on Brussels institutions since it requires the consent of the French-speaking parties for the creation of a position of government commissioner to be assigned responsibility for the Budget.”
Federal deputy Ridouane Chahid (PS) adopts a more decided tone. “The four parties have agreed against the French-speakers”he declared to La Libre. “Groen hung around for months and went around in circles to ultimately be the transmission belt for separatism.” Today as yesterday alone against everyone, the PS still refuses to discuss with the N-VA. “The socialists are blocking the negotiations with all their strength while we have explored all possible scenarios, only the four-party one with the N-VA holds water”deplores a Dutch-speaking source. “They are now alone, against everyone.”
“The PS does not want to govern Brussels with the N-VA”: despite a breakthrough in the negotiation, the parties are still looking for a winning coalition
So what can David Leisterh do now? Already, he will be sworn in as mayor of Watermael-Boitsfort this Friday morning, thus leaving the different parties the weekend to calm things down a little. Then, he could convene all the French-speaking and Dutch-speaking parties, thus pushing the socialists into their entrenchments. Nothing has yet been decided on the MR side.
“This morning (Thursday, Editor’s note) I brought together the French-speaking partners and the Dutch-speaking trainer who came to present her coalition including Groen, Vooruit, the VLD and the N-VA.” assured the liberal this Thursday, then putting pressure on the PS. “I must have noticed a blockage around the table to switch to a training phase with seven parties. I will continue, in close collaboration with the Dutch-speaking trainer, consultations. I invite all partners to show responsibility in the face of the scale of the political, institutional and budgetary crisis in Brussels. Emergencies for Brussels residents must be addressed without further delay.”
The ball is now in the PS’s court. Whose inflexible posture might not last indefinitely.
