Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – As Minister of Finance Sven Gatz announces his departure from office, he states he will not seek a ministerial position in the next administration. Gatz shared his plan to step down as Brussels Minister after five years of guiding liberal policies and team members.
Sven Gatz completed his tenure as Brussels Minister of Finance by stating he won’t seek a position in the upcoming government. Through the June 2024 elections, his team will end its mandate at five years, and Gatz aims to step down as Brussels’ blue liberal Budget and Education minister.
“I have always said that my intention was to install a new team after five years as a minister and team leader of the blue liberals in Brussels,”
Gatz stated.
“I think it is important to effectively pass on the torch now.”
During the past decade, Sven Gatz led Brussels and Flemish politics. From 2014 to 2019, Gatz served as Flemish minister for Culture and Media before succeeding Guy Vanhengel as Brussels Minister of Finance. As VGC leader, Gatz managed educational services and campus development for Dutch medium schools.
After exiting his ministerial duties, Gatz will continue to play a part in Brussels’ political affairs. He will enter the Brussels Parliament after his term to aid and train a fresh group of officials. ‘
“I will still be at the service of the people of Brussels, albeit less in the foreground than before,”
He said.
After the June 2024 elections, Gatz ran the Brussels government as an interim leader until a new cabinet took office. While talks have not yielded results yet, Open VLD still hasn’t determined who will replace Gatz if they join a new coalition government.
When Groen, N-VA, Open VLD, and Vooruit make up the Dutch-speaking majority, they want a governmental commissioner to lead their administration. While leading the Brussels government talks, Gatz needed medical treatment, which interrupted his efforts temporarily. After Gatz suffered health issues, his deputy Frédéric De Gucht took charge of Brussels Open VLD’s negotiations. The party has brought Imane Belguenani into Brussels Parliament while keeping Alexia Bertrand as an active political participant in Brussels.
Leadership overhaul in Open VLD
Open VLD has made changes to its leadership ranks in Brussels, including Gatz’s decision to retire. During his time in office, he devoted himself to expanding language education while working to solve financial issues and language problems. Gatz gives up his post because he wants to mentor young party members toward leadership roles.
“I will, of course, take up my mandate and sit in the Brussels Parliament,”
Gatz emphasised.
“In this way, I can continue to coach the new team, and I will still be at the service of the people of Brussels, albeit less in the foreground than before.”
As the Brussels government formation continues, Open VLD faces uncertainty regarding its role in the new administration. The party’s performance in the June 2024 elections and its subsequent strategy in coalition negotiations will play a critical role in determining its influence in Brussels’ future governance.
Open VLD needs their new leadership, along with experienced politician Bertrand, to lead through the present region’s political challenges. Sven Gatz’s departure from his ministerial post concludes a major phase in Brussels government leadership. Open VLD faces a new political stage to keep its influence on Brussels’ governance.
