It would mark the end of months of political paralysis in the Belgian capital, where governance has stalled amid protracted coalition talks. Brussels is currently grappling with a record regional debt of around €15 billion, which is projected to rise to €16 billion by the end of 2025, raising concerns about a looming financial crisis.
The deal explicitly excludes the Flemish nationalist N-VA party, led by Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, from formally joining the coalition. However, as a compromise, MR has proposed ceding its secretary of state post to a nonpartisan figure from civil society who is acceptable to N-VA.
“This will make it possible to gain the confidence of the democratic parties represented in the Brussels Parliament. The goal of this approach is to establish a fully functioning Brussels government as quickly as possible to address the challenges facing the Brussels-Capital Region,” the party said in a statement.
Leader of the centrist Les Engagés party Christophe De Beukelaer, one of the six involved in the talks, called the agreement a “positive step that finally gives hope that BXL can soon have a fully functioning government.”
“The people of Brussels deserve it,” he added.
On July 11, MR President Georges-Louis Bouchez announced that discussions had resumed between his party and the Socialists, and said the objective was to find “a solution” by Belgium’s national holiday on July 21.
A recent investigation by the Brussels Times revealed that regional authorities allegedly misused up to €250 million in EU loans — originally intended for metro and transport projects — to help cover budget shortfalls.
In May, De Wever said he was “worried” about the situation in Brussels and warned he would consider placing the region under IMF-style financial guardianship if it requested additional funding from the federal government.
