Negotiations to form a Brussels regional government have come to a standstill as lead negotiator David Leisterh announced his resignation on Friday. After eight months of intensive discussions, Leisterh, who represents the French-speaking liberal Reformist Movement, expressed frustration over the inability to reconcile the differing positions of the involved parties.
“After more than eight months, it’s clear that despite all the strength and patience I have been able to put into it … the positions of the different parties do not allow the formation of a majority,”
Leisterh had initially hoped to achieve a breakthrough by the end of the week but cited that certain coalition partners had hindered any genuine efforts to explore potential solutions. The French-speaking Socialist Party, in particular, has been pivotal in stalling the talks by refusing to collaborate with the Flemish-nationalist New Flemish Alliance, a decision that Leisterh emphasized in his statement, urging it to “take its responsibility.”
Urgent need for government amid crisis
The current political deadlock intensifies the urgency for a new government, particularly as Brussels grapples with critical issues, including rising drug-related violence and a staggering regional debt of €14 billion. The projected deficit for this year is an alarming €1.6 billion, leading outgoing Brussels Capital Region Finance Minister Sven Gatz to warn of the potential consequences of continued governmental inaction.
“The difference between the Brussels government and the Titanic, is that the Titanic did not see the iceberg, or saw it much too late. Brussels’ caretaker government is sailing straight for the iceberg,”
Gatz’s comments reflect the gravity of the situation, as the city is now the only region in Belgium without a governing coalition following the national and regional elections held in June. Historically, the formation of the regional government has been completed within weeks; however, this process has stalled due to ongoing disagreements among parties.
Fragmented political landscape complicates negotiations
Efforts to finalize the regional government have been complicated by a fragmented political landscape. While a coalition on the French-speaking side was quickly established among the liberal Reformist Party, Socialist Party, and Les Engagés, discussions among the Dutch-speaking parties have been protracted and contentious. The recent political alignment of Dutch-speaking parties, including the Greens, Open VLD, and the N-VA, resulted in the French-speaking parties losing their majority.
Furthermore, the leader of the French-speaking Socialists, Ahmed Laaouej, has maintained a veto against collaborating with the N-VA, leading to an unprecedented political impasse in Brussels. Political analyst Dave Sinardet from Vrije Universiteit Brussel noted that the expected challenges at the national level have unexpectedly converged in Brussels.
Various business leaders and organizations have expressed deep concerns regarding the ramifications of the political stalemate. In an open letter, the Flanders’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry warned that Brussels is “slowly but surely sliding toward the abyss,” highlighting safety concerns following weeks of violence and the deteriorating fiscal situation.
In a collective response, employer and employee organizations have urged politicians to prioritize responsible governance over political maneuvering. They warned that each day without a functioning government exacerbates an already precarious situation.
This ongoing crisis underscores the critical need for decisive action and collaboration among political leaders in Brussels.