Foreign minister urges action on Brussels political deadlock
Belgium’s new Foreign minister has urged the swift formation of a Brussels regional government to tackle the city’s pressing issues and preserve its role as a “global capital of diplomacy”.
“Brussels is the capital of the kingdom, the seat of numerous European institutions, NATO and other international organisations. This status cannot be taken for granted,” Bernard Quintin of francophone liberal party MR told radio network Bel-RTL on Tuesday.
“A government is needed to address the significant issues Brussels faces and to ensure that it can maintain its position.”
His comment follows the collapse of regional government negotiations led by francophone socialist party PS, the winner of the elections. The party's Brussels branch announced on Monday that it would no longer participate in the talks, citing objections to the demands of Flemish parties, particularly the right-wing N-VA.
Brussels mayor Philippe Close, the deputy leader of PS, defended the party’s decision and accused N-VA of trying to dictate policy to a region where it has little support.
“We don’t want Brussels to be governed from Antwerp by a party that lost the elections and is backed by less than 2 per cent of Brussels voters,” Close said, referring to N-VA leader Bart De Wever, the mayor of Antwerp.
He also accused the Flemish parties of trying to “force confederalism” on the city, with a “horror catalogue” of proposals that could undermine the Brussels model. He did not rule out a return to negotiations if the N-VA left the talks. “Another formula is possible,” he said.
Foreign minister Bernard Quintin © BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE
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