Federal government negotiations founder once again over capital gains tax

The negotiating teams for the next federal government have broken up Wednesday night without agreement. A capital gains tax is said to be the most divisive issue between the different political parties. The negotiators are expected to give the talks a new try on Thursday. 

After a whole day of bilateral talks, formateur Bart De Wever only managed to get the negotiating parties around the table for a plenary session around 1 am on Thursday. But after half an hour, the negotiating teams of N-VA, MR, Les Engagés, Vooruit and CD&V broke up without agreement. A new attempt will be undertaken later on Thursday.

What exactly went wrong during the negotiations is not clear. But they allegedly foundered over the introduction of a capital gains tax, which is crucial for the Flemish socialists but unacceptable for the Walloon liberals. During the night from Sunday to Monday, the topic also caused problems.

In any case, pressure is on. De Wever is due to visit the king again on Thursday evening for a state of play. Without an agreement in his pocket, it seems plausible that the N-VA president will return his formateur's assignment. Les Engagés president Maxime Prévot, however, declared to VTM's cameras that he assumes De Wever will remain formateur for the time being.

^{N-VA chairman Bart De Wever arrives for a meeting between representatives of political parties N-VA, CD&V, Les engages, to discuss a possible coalition for the Federal Government © BELGA PHOTO HATIM KAGHAT}