The president of Open Vld reacts to the exit of Rutten on the N-VA: “The past is passed”

“The past is past,” said Open Vld President Egbert Lachaert on Twitter on Saturday.

His predecessor Gwendolyn Rutten had assured Friday evening on VRT that the N-VA had explicitly asked Open Vld and CD&V to join a Flemish government a year ago with the Vlaams Belang. Gwendolyn Rutten’s comments sparked many reactions. The question of whether the Open Vld was still considering the possibility of a federal government with the N-VA was raised.

For Egbert Lachaert, this track is therefore not ruled out. “At a time when people are losing their jobs, when companies are going bankrupt, we need a government capable of carrying out a solid stimulus policy. We continue to work constructively with Georges-Louis Bouchez (president of the MR ) and Joachim Coens (president of CD&V). Good advice: look ahead to what you can do together. The past is over “, tweeted the new president of the Flemish Liberals.

During the formation of the Flemish government last year, the N-VA had explicitly asked the Open Vld and the CD&V to assemble in a government with the Vlaams Belang, assured Friday Gwendolyn Rutten.

“A year ago, while we were fully involved in the discussions to form a government in Flanders, the N-VA told us just like at CD&V: join us in an N-VA-Vlaams Belang government. We will reward generously, but we want to involve Vlaams Belang. This proposal has really been on the table and has been really tested politically. Only my answer has always been clear: no. “

–