Brussels (Brussels Morning) – Flemish Christian Democrats (CD&V) reject harsh healthcare cuts proposed by leading Flemish nationalists N-VA, complicating coalition talks as parties debate fiscal reform and budget priorities.
Will CD&V Accept Harsh Healthcare Cuts Proposed by N-VA?
Flemish Christian Democrats (CD&V) have said they cannot keep the severe, harsh cuts to healthcare offered by Flemish nationalists N-VA, who are leading discussions after securing the largest vote share.
Can the ‘Arizona’ Coalition Reach Agreement on Budget Cuts?
Federal Government talks between five parties – led by Flemish right-wing nationalists N-VA – are persisting, almost one month after the election. This was restated by CD&V leader Sammy Mahdi, upon appearance at the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) headquarters, where a five-party coalition, understood informally as the ‘Arizona’ coalition, is acquiring briefings on healthcare
and pensions.
Federal preformator Bart De Wever organised various information sessions this week for intermediaries from N-VA, Vooruit, CD&V, MR and Les Engagés. Earlier, they examined budget challenges, defence and nuclear energy. On Friday, they rode to pensions and healthcare — two issues which have caused disagreements among the parties. Both MR and N-VA want to decrease spending in these areas, but other parties are resisting substantially.
“We cannot abandon the people”, Mahdi stated, regarding the proposed budget cuts in healthcare. “We have already made it clear that we cannot agree to such severe, deep cost-cutting” he persisted.
Will Healthcare Disagreements Derail Federal Government Formation?
The enthusiasm of CD&V to form a government will be more evident in the coming days, according to the leader Mahdi. “It relies on all five of us. We need to ensure there’s enough mutual benefit to motivate participation,” he described. Fiscal reform and net income growth at the end of the month were noted as key considerations for CD&V.
Flemish socialist Vooruit seems most hesitant to join a government. Whether they are prepared is a question negotiator Conner Rousseau could not respond on Friday. “That depends on what’s on the table. Currently, there’s not much on it, so I’m curious,” he stated upon arrival. “We are mainly here to listen.”
Rousseau repeated the importance of the average Flemish person not mourning because of the policies of the next government. “Challenging years are ahead and we want the burdens to be distributed fairly,” he said.
Les Engagés leader Maxime Prévot arranged with Vooruit’s sentiments on healthcare. “We understand the enormity of what’s at stake… both for the system’s sustainability as well as the quality and proximity of care,” Prévot proposed.
MR is ready to institute a government, repeated party leader Georges-Louis Bouchez. “If we have goodwill, we can establish agreements, but these must be discussed at the table,” stated the liberal. He indicated that Bart De Wever could be selected Formator on Wednesday when the N-VA leader encounters the king to report on his Preformator task. Alongside Mahdi, Rousseau and Bouchez, other attendees included David Clarinval (MR), Vincent Van Peteghem (CD&V), Peter De Roover (N-VA) and Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit).
