20,000 objections
Throughout the week there was much discussion in Brussels, the seat of the Flemish government. But even negotiating marathons of more than sixteen hours are useless. There seems to be no agreement within the government yet, while the deadline is today. ‘But it’s not as binding,’ says Decraene, ‘in the sense that a judgment or legal proceeding would arise suddenly. It’s a self-imposed deadline.’
When it comes to nitrogen, two parties in Flanders are now diametrically opposed: the Christian Democratic and Flemish party (CD&V) and the Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie (N-VA). “CD&V is actually a bit of a counterpart to the Dutch CDA,” explains Decraene. “The N-VA is a popular liberal party.”
It was CD&V that took note of the disputes and therefore put an end to the existing agreement. ‘The party considered that such objections could not simply be dismissed. It is seen as a new political fact which they think should be taken into consideration.’ CD&V wants less stringent nitrogen standards for farmers so that a complete suspension of the permit does not become a reality. The N-VA may be OK with this, but doesn’t want to loosen the reins anywhere near as CD&V. “It’s a very difficult dossier now,” says Decraene.
The government cannot fall
Today a solution is finally expected, but there is also the possibility that this will not happen. “There is a crisis in Flanders,” says Decraene, “but the Flemish government cannot handle it.” Unlike the Netherlands, Flanders has a so-called “legislative parliament”. Simply put, this means that an elected government will stay in office for the entire journey, no matter what.
“It would be real torture.”
“You can work with alternating majorities or whatever, but you’re effectively blowing up the Flemish government. It would be real torture,” says Decraene.