Deal reached on formation of Belgian government

Centre-right parties to form Belgium’s next government, though ministerial posts still need to be decided.

The formation of a centre-right federal government in Belgium has been completed after 135 days of negotiations, the coalition partners announced this evening (7 October). The government will be sworn in on Saturday (11 October).

Charles Michel, leader of the francophone liberal party Mouvement Réformateur (MR) will be the next prime minister, leading a government of three Flemish parties and one francophone party: the Christian Democrats (CD&V), the liberal Open VLD, the right-wing N-VA and Mouvement Réformateur (MR).

Michel, aged 38, who succeeds outgoing socialist Elio Di Rupo, will be the youngest Belgian prime minister in history. Together with his Flemish counterpart Kris Peeters, leader of CD&V, he led the negotiations since 22 July, after Bart De Wever, leader of N-VA, failed to form a government.

Peeters and Michel announced this evening that, after 28 hours of continuing debates on the budget, which was the most difficult issue, an agreement was finally reached. Michel commented on the developments: “We are happy with the deal, it is important for our country. There is a strong commitment of the partners to work on the social-economic reform.”

Peeters said: “The negotiations were difficult, but everyone seems to be convinced that this coalition was the only possibility. There was no alternative.” De Wever said: “I expect a lot of this government”.

Though the outlines of the policy are expected to be announced tomorrow (8 October), it is clear that this government will need to make significant budget cuts.

The parties will decide at party congresses in the coming days on the division of the ministerial posts. MR can appoint six ministers besides the prime minister as it is the only party on the francophone side. The question is if Didier Reynders, the resigning minister of foreign affairs, will get another portfolio in this government. If so, he would be the only Belgian politician who has served as a federal minister for fifteen years in a row.

N-VA is to appoint three ministers as it emerged as the biggest party in the May elections. As possible ministers Jan Jambon (party chairman in the national parliament) and Johan Van Overtveldt (member of the European Parliament) are named.

CD&V is to get two posts, with one of them likely to go to Peeters. Either Koen Geens (outgoing minister for finance) and Pieter De Crem (outgoing minister for defence) are expected to take up the other seat. Open VLD gets two posts too, with Maggie De Block (outgoing minister for justice) almost certain of a portfolio.

The federal elections in Belgium took place on 25 May, and coincided with the European Parliament elections, as well as the regional and local elections. The federal formation process was complicated by the interplay of the regional governments and the appointment of the European Commission candidate. The choice of Marianne Thyssen as Belgium’s nominee disqualified party member Peeters from becoming the country’s next prime minister.