Elections 2024: Federal government talks stalled after latest policy text is rejected
Flemish socialists Vooruit have rejected Bart De Wever’s socio-economic “super memo”, the policy document intended to form a basis for further talks between the five parties negotiating the next federal government.
Vooruit believes the document doesn’t put enough emphasis on financial contributions from high earners to close the gap in the budget. Formation talks appear to have reached an impasse, although De Wever has not explicitly given up. As formateur, the person tasked with leading the negotiations, he is scheduled to visit the Palace on Monday to update King Philippe on progress.
De Wever, the leader of Flemish nationalists N-VA, reconvened the leaders of Vooruit, Flemish Christian democrats CD&V, francophone liberals MR and Christian democrats Les Engagés on Thursday.
They previously met last week, after which Vooruit leader Conner Rousseau rejected the text. While the document was adjusted, the socialists refused to negotiate other issues such as defence or migration.
Problematic text
De Wever reworked the paper and tested it bilaterally with the party leaders over the past few days. Another meeting followed on Thursday afternoon, but the text still proved divisive.
Vooruit wants those with the greatest assets to contribute more to closing the 20 billion euro gap in the budget, rather than through savings in healthcare and social security reforms.
Capital gains tax on shares and an expanded securities tax, which Vooruit favours, would only serve to create an additional tax cut, which the socialists do not want either. De Wever’s first formation attempt fell through in August after it was rejected by MR leader Georges-Louis Bouchez over the proposal to introduce the tax on shares.
While Les Engagés and CD&V also have difficulty with certain parts of De Wever’s paper, they both want to continue negotiations. There may be further talks in the coming days, but no new meeting with the leaders is scheduled.
Bart De Wever leaves a meeting at the Palace in Brussels, 17 October 2024 © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM
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