Flemish formation talks: ready for touchdown?

Negotiators for a new Flemish coalition government have reached the final stretch, it can be heard: "We are ready for landing." Some frictions emerged during the weekend though, as outgoing Flemish Premier Kris Peeters was irritated by declarations made N-VA leader Bart De Wever.

Formation talks between Flemish nationalists (N-VA) and Christian democrats (CD&V) for a coalition government have taken several weeks already.  Bart De Wever had told reporters for the occasion of the Flemish holiday on Friday that Flanders would have a new government early this week. "You don't have 1,000 solutions for every issue, only a couple. We just have to make choices."

Kris Peeters was not amused: "If a president is putting deadlines, it's up to him to solve all the hot issues", Mr Peeters said, calling Bart De Wever's move "imprudent".

Major issues that were being discussed Saturday were social welfare, mobility and road infrastructure works. There were still hard nuts to crack, and press leaks were said to put an extra burden on the talks. Today is a day of rest. Talks will resume tomorrow on Monday.

So when could we have a new Flemish government? Insiders say that on the one hand things could go fast, but that on the other discussions about the new ministers to be installed and tensions resulting from the press leaks may also slow things down. One thing seems sure, though. Kris Peeters will not be able to add another term as Flemish PM. The N-VA is the biggest player in Flemish politics and will claim the post of PM. Geert Bourgeois is the hot candidate to take over from Kris Peeters.

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