Brussels (Brussels Mroning) – MR wins big in Brussels but fragmentation between Dutch-speaking and French-speaking parties makes forming a government complex with multiple coalition options.
MR has achieved a big win in the Brussels parliament elections. They have won up to one-fourth of the French-speaking votes receiving more than 26 percent of the vote. Liberals have surpassed PS as the largest party in Brussels for the first time in 15 years. Ecolo has faced a significant defeat dropping to only 9.9 percent. PTB has overtaken them now the third-largest party. Groen remains the largest party on the Dutch-speaking side. The Green family doesn’t seem to be bothered by this unlike their French-speaking sister party.
What are the Key Takeaways from the Brussels Parliament Elections?
Fouad Ahidar’s new list had a big gain landing at 16.4% surpassing Vooruit which dropped to 10%. Ahidar left Vooruit due to clashes including on the issue of slaughter without stunning. N-VA and Open VLD while still the 3rd and 4th largest Dutch-speaking parties lost seats. Vlaams Belang and PVDA made slight gains.
The Brussels government needs a majority from both French-speaking and Dutch-speaking parties. The MR as the largest French-speaking party prefers a center-right coalition but lacks a majority. A coalition with the PS seems likely although they’re one seat short. They may look to Les Engagés to secure enough seats on the French-speaking side.
The political landscape in Brussels reveals a significant fragmentation between the Dutch-speaking and French-speaking sides as highlighted by political scientist Nino Junius from Antwerp. This division reflects the intricate dynamics of Belgium’s linguistic and cultural diversity. The necessity for separate majorities in each language group underscores the complexity of forming a cohesive government. Such fragmentation poses challenges in fostering cross-linguistic cooperation and consensus-building potentially influencing policy formulation and implementation. It underscores the delicate balance required to navigate linguistic, cultural and political differences within the context of Brussels’ governance structure.
There is not a minute to lose, we liberals will take immediate action
MR chairman Georges-Louis Bouchez in a first response
What are the Potential Coalitions and Challenges in Forming a Brussels Government?
Political scientist Nino Junius explains the complexity of forming a coalition in Brussels due to the fragmentation between Dutch-speaking and French-speaking sides. He suggests a potential coalition between Groen and Fouad Ahidar on the Dutch-speaking side along with a junior party. On the French-speaking side MR, PS and Les Engagés could form a coalition although differences like MR’s opposition to Gron’s mobility plan pose challenges. Alternatively a left-wing coalition is possible with PS, Ecolo and PTB on the French-speaking side and Groen Vooruit. Brussels and PVDA along with Team Fouad Ahidar on the Dutch-speaking side. However, concerns remain about including the radical left PVDA-PTB in the government
Georges-Louis Bouchez the MR chairman wants to start forming a Brussels government immediately stating there’s no time to waste. Fouad Ahidar hopes to join the government preferably as State Secretary,expressing eagerness to help make decisions particularly on mobility slaughter without stunning and the headscarf debate. He’s open to coalition with PVDA. PVDA leader Jan Busselen sees their win as a call for different policies especially regarding affordable housing. Though joining the government might be challenging he sees their victory as a strong message for change.
In his initial response Fouad Ahidar characterizes Brussels as a “waiting room” that requires action. This state of stagnation or delay suggesting that urgent measures are needed to address pressing issues and move forward. Ahidar’s statement underscores the sense of urgency and the need for proactive decision-making to tackle the challenges facing Brussels emphasizing the importance of taking decisive steps rather than remaining in a state of inertia.
