A call for earlier elections could leave the country blocked for at least a year: Charles Michel
Prime Minister Charles Michel wants to avoid early federal elections. According to him, that could potentially leave the country blocked for a long time, since on May 26th the regional and European elections will be held anyway.
From a constitutional point of view, Mr. Michel believes that it is not necessary to dissolve the Houses following the resignation of the N-VA ministers. The current government will however no longer has the majority since it relies only on the seats of the MR, Open Vld and CD & V in the House, or 52 out of 150.
« The Constitution says that a majority in parliament can request elections. I want to talk to parliament. If there were to be early elections, if it had to be the choice to push the government to make early elections, that would be a situation that might well block the country for a year. It is unlikely that a government will be formed before voters voted a few months later at regional and European level, » said Michel.
For this reason, the prime minister « reaches out to parliament », especially to vote on the decisions already taken in the government, starting with the budget. He’s waiting to see what attitude the N-VA will take.
« We need to see how the N-VA, which has supported the decisions in the government, will also support them in parliament, which would be a principle of accountability, consistent in the N-VA leadership ».
In response to public concerns about purchasing power and climate, the head of government is also waiting to see what the attitude of the opposition will be. « On these topics, it may be proposed to accentuate, strengthen certain initiatives, » he said.
Upon his return from the Marrakech Conference, the Prime Minister will contact the various parliamentary groups. If the political climate between the N-VA and the CD & V and the Open Vld seems tense, it is however more serene between the N-VA and the MR.
On Saturday evening, the Prime Minister made sure to thank the N-VA ministers and secretaries of state for the « gigantic » work accomplished.
« The N-VA, having set aside community issues, has been a good partner for socio-economic and security reforms, » he said, emphasizing close relationship of trust with Deputy Prime Minister Jan Jambon.
Recently, the president of the MR, Olivier Chastel, expressed his favor for a renewal of the Swedish coalition. M. Michel avoided any prognosis for future alliances. « I stated four and a half years ago that I did not think it was possible to make a government with the N-VA. I was much criticized after doing a government with the N-VA. I learn from my experience and I will not comment on future coalitions, » he said.
