First round of talks on forming a government fails

The first round of negotiations aimed at forming a government in Belgium, launched on July 10, failed. Two months after the legislative electionsbut discussions must resume on Friday.

Bart De Wever, leader of the Flemish Conservative Party (N-VA), handed over the duties of chief negotiator to King Philippe, who entrusted him with the task in July, citing the failure of negotiations he was preparing with four other Belgian parties at the time. The Royal Palace said Thursday evening that a government coalition would be formed. The Belgian king appointed him as “coach”, a role generally considered to be expected to become prime minister. Five Flemish and Walloon parties agreed to try to form a coalition after the June elections.

Taxes as a barrier

King Philippe will begin “new consultations on Friday with the presidents of the five parties involved in the negotiations to form a new government,” the palace said in a press release.

The first round of talks, which began in July, failed over taxes, with French liberals rejecting a capital gains tax proposal defended by Flemish socialists. Belgium, with a public deficit of 4.4 percent of gross domestic product, is one of seven European countries under investigation for violating euro zone budget rules.

After the consultations with King Philippe are concluded, another negotiator (who could be Mr. De Wever himself) should in principle be appointed to resume the talks. These conditions could continue for a few more weeks, as is generally the case in the kingdom. Belgium is considered ungovernable and was without a full government for 541 days between 2010 and 2011.

Vote on June 9 – Along with the European elections – The victories of the right and centre-right mark an unprecedented alliance between Wallonia (the French-speaking south) and the traditionally right-wing majority of Flanders (the Dutch-speaking north).