Negotiations involving six parties in Brussels are ongoing, with CD&V no longer participating. The discussions concern budgetary savings expected by 2029. This information was reported on September 30, 2025.
Budget negotiations underway
Following an initial meeting about the second budget note proposed by Leisterh, a discussion occurred regarding the basis for savings of one billion euros. The six participating parties are MR, PS, Les Engagés, Groen, Open VLD, and Vooruit. They are considering whether to base their discussions on the 2024 results, the projected deficit of 1.2 billion, or the 1.5 billion, which includes an additional 300 million in provisions.
Negotiators will reconvene tomorrow to further discuss the budget. Previously, PS, Les Engagés, Groen, and Vooruit had urged that CD&V join to form a Dutch-speaking majority. However, Open VLD and other liberals were reluctant to extend an invitation to CD&V. Benjamin Dalle, representing the liberals, expressed from the outset that his party would only participate if they could negotiate from the beginning.
Current status of CD&V
This afternoon, Benjamin Dalle confirmed that CD&V has been excluded from the negotiations. He stated that the six parties have been negotiating for two weeks without CD&V, indicating that there is now no place for them at the table. Consequently, CD&V is no longer available to join the discussions.
