Cieltje Van Achter critical of Brussels coalition deal: “Vivaldi is back”

More than 600 days after the elections, seven parties have finally reached an agreement on a new Brussels Government: MR, PS, Les Engagés, Groen, Vooruit, Anders and CD&V. That means without N-VA — despite being the third-largest party on the Dutch-speaking side.

“So Brussels is getting another Vivaldi-style coalition,” sighs Flemish Minister for Brussels Cieltje Van Achter. “And the PS is effectively dictating the Flemish coalition. In the end, Anders hasn’t turned out to be all that different.”

Positions over policy

With a budget deep in the red and major challenges in mobility, cleanliness, housing and security, Brussels has its work cut out. N-VA fears, however, that the negotiations focused more on dividing up positions than on substantive policy.

“First, more than 600 days of obstruction by the PS. Then N-VA is pushed aside and a coalition agreement is hastily stitched together. The content? Secondary. As long as there’s a deal on paper,” says Cieltje Van Achter.

Brussels MP Mathias Vanden Borre echoes that criticism: “In the end, the PS can only come out on top because others give in: Anders, Groen, Vooruit and CD&V are opting for positions over principles. Drafting a coalition agreement in three days? They must be political geniuses.”

Concerns over Dutch-speaking rights

Brussels parliamentary group leader Gilles Verstraeten says he is particularly concerned about the rights of Dutch speakers in Brussels and questions the way the negotiations were handled.

“MR leader Georges-Louis Bouchez sat down with PS and MR and then presented the other Dutch-speaking partners with a fait accompli. When we negotiated as a Flemish majority, we first met among ourselves and drew up a reform agenda as one united Dutch-speaking bloc. That didn’t happen this time — and that doesn’t bode well.”

“What matters most to me is the budget cuts”

Speaking from the EU summit in Alden Biesen, Prime Minister Bart De Wever also reacted to the new Brussels Government. “I’ve seen the reports come in. What I want to look at first and foremost is the substance of the agreement.”

“What matters most to me is the budgetary consolidation, because Brussels’ finances have completely spun out of control. That’s what I’ll be watching closely: is there a credible path to restoring order, or not? I have to say I’m rather sceptical,” Prime Minister Bart De Wever concluded.