Brussels government formation: Groen explores coalition that includes N-VA
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Flemish green party Groen is exploring a Brussels government coalition with N-VA on the Dutch-speaking side. Groen is however setting some non-negotiable conditions, especially in the areas of liveability, road safety and public space.
The green party initially tried to form a coalition with the liberal Open VLD, the socialist Vooruit and the Christian democrat CD&V - in line with the French-speaking coalition of MR, Les Engagés and the PS in Brussels. The problem was that there were only three available minister positions and four parties. Open VLD now said it is willing to govern without a minister position, but only in a coalition that includes the conservative N-VA.
The Groen party leadership is currently exploring the coalition option with N-VA but has already emphasised that this will only be possible under very strict conditions, especially in the areas of liveability, road safety and public space. “In order not to block the Brussels government formation, we are willing to explore cooperation, but these conditions are non-negotiable for us,” stressed Groen’s co-leader Nadia Naji. The sensitive issue will also be discussed by the Political Council of the green party, which will assess whether negotiations can start.
Earlier, some French-speaking parties also opposed a Brussels government with N-VA. Brussels PS leader Ahmed Laaouej declared in L'Echo that a government with N-VA is “not an option” for him, and Christophe De Beukelaer, negotiator for Les Engagés, said on Bel RTL that his party favours symmetrical majorities in the two language groups. “So we are going to insist on choosing the option with CD&V,” he said.
Forming a Dutch-speaking coalition is not the only challenge in Brussels. The recent controversy concerning the low-emission zone has seriously damaged the trust between Groen and the French-speaking government partner MR. For Groen, it is therefore essential to get firm guarantees on a constructive cooperation with the French-speaking partners. Those talks are still ongoing.
#FlandersNewsService | Groen co-leader Nadia Naji and Groen's Elke Van Den Brandt at a press conference regarding the formation of the Brussels government, 13 September 2024, in Brussels © BELGA PHOTO TIMON RAMBOER
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