Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Brussels has been in a political deadlock since the June 2024 elections, with Dutch-speaking parties holding a majority. The French-speaking Socialist Party (PS), led by Ahmed Laaouei, hesitates to form a coalition. Flemish Minister Caroline Gennez urges leaders to focus on policies and cooperation. Bart De Wever became Prime Minister on February 3, 2025.
Brussels had been without a regional administration for 8 months by February 2025. This problem started after the June 2024 elections. The Dutch-speaking parties, led by the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), have a majority.
The French-speaking Socialist Party (PS) refuses to form a coalition, causing the government to postpone critical decisions. Public safety concerns are also raised, particularly following a recent shooting in the metro. Despite the urgent need for action, political talks are still stuck, with both sides unwilling to compromise.
“I get angry about that,”
Says Flemish Minister of Welfare Caroline Gennez (Vooruit) in ‘De Afspraak’ about her sister’s party.
“At a time when there is shooting in the metro, in a place where people bring children to school, Brussels politics seems to be preoccupied with itself, or at least several parties.”
Is Caroline Gennez’s call for action enough to break Brussels’ deadlock?
Flemish Minister of Welfare Caroline Gennez from the Vooruit party is frustrated with the ongoing deadlock in Brussels. In an interview on ‘De Afspraak’, she criticized French-speaking politicians for focusing on themselves while public safety is at risk. Gennez called it irresponsible to block government actions with “completely unconstitutional ideas.”
She urged politicians to work together and take action. She also pointed out that the federal government is trying to improve police zones in Brussels, but regional politicians are not paying attention. She mentioned that the city’s lack of a functioning government affects its ability to handle important issues.
According to Columnist Fouad Gandoul criticizes Ahmed Laaouej, the leader of the Brussels Socialist Party (PS), Laaouej is playing a “chicken game,” where both sides wait for the other to back down. Gandoul thinks Laaouej does not want to form a coalition with the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) because he wants to keep his power. He believes Laaouej is afraid of losing his position as a leader in Brussels.
“In these times, when the stakes are so high, it doesn’t really matter who you negotiate with. It’s about: what should you do?”
Caroline Gennez (Vooruit)
According to Caroline Gennez, political games are not just a problem for the French-speaking parties. She points out that Flemish parties also took a long time to change their stubborn views. Gennez believes it is important to focus on policies instead of personal relationships.
She says that during tough times, it does not matter who you talk to. She stresses the need to solve urgent problems in Brussels, like improving security, fixing budget issues, and reducing high poverty and unemployment rates. Gennez wants political leaders to work together and focus on good governance to help the city.
