Flemish Parliament Speaker Criticizes Brussels Socialist Party Over Coalition Deadlock
During her first address as Flemish parliament speaker on July 11, Freya Van den Bossche (Vooruit) criticized the Brussels Socialist Party (PS) and its leader Ahmed Laaouej for obstructing a Dutch-speaking majority coalition that includes the N-VA. The region has been without a government for over a year following the 2024 elections. Van den Bossche deemed the PS’s veto “difficult to understand” given the political and global uncertainties. “Brussels continues to gaze at its own navel as if the world beyond its borders doesn’t exist,” she stated, reports 24brussels.
Laouej has consistently refused any coalition with the N-VA, declaring it “unacceptable.” In contrast, Van den Bossche argued that this stance undermines democratic outcomes and the self-governance rights of Flemish residents in Brussels.
“Brussels continues to gaze at its own navel as if the world beyond its borders doesn’t exist”
This address occurs in a climate of escalating tensions between Vooruit and the Brussels PS, highlighted by ongoing disputes between Laaouej and Vooruit leader Conner Rousseau. Van den Bossche urged both language communities in Brussels to “bury the hatchet” and acknowledge one another’s rights to build autonomous majorities.
Despite the ongoing deadlock, progress may be imminent. Just hours after Van den Bossche’s speech, MR party chairman Georges-Louis Bouchez indicated that a resolution to the Brussels impasse could soon be achieved. He reported that negotiations are advancing well, aiming to establish a government supported by both language groups. “Brussels needs a government, and more urgently, a budget. Without that, we risk financial collapse,” Bouchez emphasized during his remarks at Villa Politica.
While he recognized that a coalition involving the PS might not be ideal, he stressed the importance of respecting the results of last year’s elections. Bouchez refrained from overtly criticizing Laaouej, urging an end to the blame game concerning the ongoing stalemate. “We have to stop pointing fingers at the so-called main obstacle,” he said.
