Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): In Brussels French and Dutch parties struggle to form a government with budget issues and traffic policies complicating negotiations. Talks continue to find a fourth partner for a majority.
In Brussels the main French and Dutch parties pick someone to lead the way. They try to get most of their own language group on board before everyone works together to set up the Brussels government. This year the Dutch side is having trouble. A liberal group is saying no to Team Fouad Ahidar, and there aren’t enough government jobs allowed by law to meet the Christian democrats wishes. And they’re running out of time to figure it all out. On one side David Leister brought together French-speaking parties. On the other side they’re still figuring things out with possibly four parties needed. Yesterday the first meeting included French speaking partners and Dutch-speaking parties like ecologist Groen liberal Open VLD and socialist Vooruit as Mr. Leisterh shared in the media
What challenges face Brussels in forming a new government?
We’re getting creative without adding new ministers. We got French and Dutch parties together for the first time last night Leisterh told reporters. It won’t be easy but most people at the table are ready to work. Next we’ll dive into the budget with all the parties. Brussels’ budget is tricky so we won’t rush. We’ll take our time and also search for a 4th partner with Elke Van den Brandt for a majority in parliament. Ms. Van den Brandt said that sorting out the budget is the top priority before any government deal especially in Brussels. She mentioned they are open to another party joining and talks are ongoing to decide if it will be CD&V or another party. Regarding other options Van den Brandt brought up Team Fouad Ahidar a group that split from socialist Vooruit and the N-VA party. She stressed the need for a solution mentioning that involving Team Fouad Ahidar isn’t possible right now due to resistance, but in politics it’s essential to talk to all parties. In Brussels they’re talking about fixing traffic. Mr. Leister’s MR party wants to try new ideas to help traffic flow better. They feel there are better ways to handle traffic which they suggested during the elections and got praised for. The current plan wants to stop some cars from certain places starting in 2025 to cut pollution. But the MR party thinks 2025 is too soon for this rule.
