De Gucht Calls for Broad Talks on Brussels budget,Signaling Potential Shift in Strategy
Brussels,Belgium – Open VLD leader Tom De Gucht has invited representatives from ten political parties to a round table discussion focused on the content and budgetary challenges facing brussels,a move signaling a potential willingness to explore broader coalition options. The invitation includes MR, PS, Les Engagés, groen, Open VLD, vooruit, CD&V, N-VA, PTB, and DéFI.
De Gucht described the initiative as a “last attempt” to break the current deadlock in forming a Brussels government and address pressing budgetary concerns. The move comes after he publicly rejected a proposal by Ecolo-Groen co-chair Gilles Verougstraete to open negotiations with a wider group of parties, deeming that scenario “surrealistic.” De Gucht has consistently stated his preference for a coalition with the N-VA.
The round table is scheduled for Monday at Open VLD headquarters. Sources within the party suggest De Gucht aims to highlight the urgency of the budget situation, perhaps leveraging it in his campaign for the Open VLD presidency. He is reportedly receiving support from the cabinet of Brussels Minister of Budget Sven Gatz.
The invitation also responds to a request from PS, Les Engagés, Groen, Vooruit, and CD&V to begin budget discussions with MR. While MR leader David Leisterh initially appeared open to the idea on Monday, the French-speaking liberals subsequently expressed reluctance to engage in talks without a Dutch-speaking majority, recognizing that such a scenario would prevent the formation of a new brussels government.
The current impasse stems from the collapse of a potential majority following de Gucht’s resistance to Verougstraete’s proposal. Should these efforts fail, MR leader David Leisterh suggested last Saturday that new elections could be considered. However, triggering new elections would require a two-thirds majority in the Chamber and faces significant constitutional hurdles.
