De Wever submits resignation as formateur as government talks reach deadlock
Belgian formateur Bart De Wever submitted his resignation to the king on Monday after talks to form a new federal government reached an impasse. King Philippe is currently considering his decision.
The king is giving De Wever until 12 November to hold further talks before deciding on his resignation, the royal palace said in a press release.
Negotiations to form a new Belgian government have been underway since the country held elections on 9 June. De Wever was appointed to lead the talks as his party, the Flemish nationalist N-VA, emerged as the strongest.
Failed to secure agreement
The centre-right alliance De Wever is trying to form between five parties has suffered serious rifts in recent weeks. After a final meeting with party leaders on Monday to try to break the deadlock, De Wever arrived at the palace at around 11.30.
"Having failed to secure the agreement of all the partners currently involved in the negotiations, Mr De Wever has submitted his resignation to the King," a palace press release said.
Fair distribution of efforts
The socialist Vooruit party has become a major obstacle. On Friday, the party openly rejected a policy text that was to serve as a basis for further talks. The party's leader, Conner Rousseau, argued that Vooruit could not agree to a coalition that prioritised conservative fiscal reforms and tax cuts.
Vooruit fears that the measures currently on the table would compromise social security and pensions. On Sunday, the party called for a fair distribution of the efforts to restore public finances.
The four remaining parties – N-VA, MR, Les Engagés and CD&V – will now continue talks and examine the possibility of adding another fifth partner needed to form a majority, one of the negotiators said on Monday.
Bart De Wever and King Philippe after their meeting at the Royal Palace on Monday 4 November 2024 © BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE
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