Campaign diary, the negotiation, episode 19. The federal negotiators have changed method to hope to conclude a government agreement, while the situation in Brussels still prevents a Brussels deputy elected in the Dutch electoral college… don’t know speak Dutch.
This Tuesday was the 13th meeting between Bart De Wever and the King. What came out of this meeting? The negotiators will obviously work differently at the request, among others, of Maxime Prévot. “We decided to work on the substance of the socio-economic note to exchange our points of view, our sensitivities, our red flags on all of these subjects”indicated the leader of the Engagés.
And no sooner said than done. Although Bart de Wever doesn’t seem entirely enthusiastic about this change in method.. “You may have noticed that the federal government’s negotiations are dragging on a bit”blurted the Trainer. “I can’t do anything about it. I really did my best. But hey, that’s how it is. So I’m going to become mayor first and then, we’ll see.” The next meeting at the palace is set for December 20…
No light at the end of the Brussels tunnel
In the capital, the PS does not want to work with the N-VA. Paul Magnette came to clarify his thoughts on RTL info. He rejects the entire Flemish note. “It’s a note that calls into question the autonomy of Brussels”explained the president of the PS. “And that is a vision that we do not accept. There are around 100,000 Flemings in Brussels, obviously we have to take them into account, but when we are a small minority, less than 10% of the population, we cannot impose our will.”
The N-VA’s response was broadcast this weekend in the newspaper Le Soir. “The PS has the nerve to say that the N-VA is blocking Brussels”reacted Cieltje Van Achter, the Flemish Minister of Brussels Affairs and negotiator in Brussels. “It’s just absurd. We want dialogue. We want to take our responsibilities. The PS is taking Brussels hostage.”
An MP who does not speak Dutch on the Dutch-speaking lists
His name is Ilyas El Omari. He was elected Brussels deputy for Team Fouad Ahidar. This Tuesday in committee, he asked to ask his parliamentary question in French because he does not speak Dutch. His request was rejected, out of compliance with the regulations.
As a reminder, during the municipal elections, Fouad Ahidar was criticized for presenting his list on the Dutch-speaking side because obtaining a seat requires fewer votes. “I have always been elected on the Dutch-speaking list in Brussels”said the party president in October. “I haven’t done anything else and I can’t run anywhere else because once you’ve been elected from the Dutch language group, you can no longer run in another language group.”
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