Brussels Adrift: Still No Government Despite MR’s Promises
Despite Belgium’s July 21 celebrations, Brussels remains without a government as coalition talks stall and new players like Team Fouad Ahidar emerge.
While Belgium’s federal government celebrated its National Day on July 21 with a so-called “fundamentally reformist” summer agreement, the Brussels-Capital Region remains without an executive. Political deadlock drags on, despite bold assurances from MR party leader Georges-Louis Bouchez, who had vowed to reach a deal in time for the national holiday.
A Hope That Fizzled
In early July, things seemed to be moving at last: a preliminary compromise between MR and the PS raised hopes of forming a Brussels government before the symbolic deadline of July 21. On Sunday the 13th, in a surprising twist, the MR even announced the resumption of six-party talks rekindling expectations.
But since then? Radio silence. July 21 has come and gone, celebrations took place, and the Flemish “Arizona” coalition struck its second major agreementyet Brussels is still waiting.
A Maze of Deadlocks
The impasse lies in the delicate balance between Francophone (PS, MR) and Flemish (Open VLD, Vooruit, Groen) parties but above all, in the controversial inclusion of the N-VA. Some, including the MR, hoped to bring the nationalist party on board via an “independent” figure. That idea collapsed when N-VA leaders Theo Francken and Bart De Wever publicly refused to say “Long live Belgium” and issued derogatory remarks toward the federal state. The backlash torpedoed any chance of even indirectly involving the N-VA.
“They need to reach a deal Ahmed [Laaouej], Georges-Louis [Bouchez], and Cieltje [Van Achter],” a Brussels source confided. But there’s little sign that the trio can reach a consensus before the parliamentary recess. A compromise seemed within reach before July 21 now, it’s out of the question.
The Alternative: Team Fouad Ahidar
In the background, a new scenario is gaining traction: involving the Team Fouad Ahidar (TFA), which made a stunning breakthrough in the regional elections. Their participation could bring a stable bilingual majority without relying on the N-VA injecting fresh energy into the deadlocked process.
The idea would be to appoint Fouad Ahidar as Secretary of State in exchange for constructive support for the future government.
A Region on Hold?
With no functioning government, Brussels’ key issues are stuck in limbo: transport reform, public safety, housing, climate policy, and the budget are all frozen. Meanwhile, the summer recess is fast approaching threatening to push any resolution to late August or even September.
Could Brussels break a sad record? If no government is formed by September, it may surpass the sluggish 2019 process, when a coalition wasn’t finalized until October.
A Way Out: Political Courage?
One thing is clear: a political jolt is needed. The solution won’t come from backroom deals among the same old parties, nor from sterile community-based bargaining. Perhaps it’s time to bring in the new political forces that voters chose and to give Fouad Ahidar, who won big and advocates for a united Brussels, a central role in shaping the region’s future.
Kadir Duran
Contributing writer at EUReflect.
