After the Netherlands, Belgium is the largest emitter of nitrogen in Europe, which causes internal strife. Particularly in Flanders, where things rumble in the coalition. For example, N-VA nationalists and OpenVLD liberals want to impose a strict nitrogen policy, but coalition partner CD&V is diametrically against it. And so a political crisis is underway, says VRT journalist Jeroen Reygaert.
He talks about a particularly complicated issue, with a Flemish coalition serving different interests. “The Christian Democrats of CD&V are closely linked to Flemish agriculture and have real ties to it,” says Reygaert. “And that while the N-VA is closely connected to nature association, so there are conflicting interests.”
“There are conflicting interests”
According to Reygaert, N-VA, together with OpenVLD, wants to implement a strict nitrogen policy by Flemish standards, but CD&V sees nothing in this. Indeed, the Christian Democrats are trying to curb their coalition partners. “The problem is that the nature and agriculture portfolios are shared between the two parties, which makes it very difficult.”
Comparable
He dares to talk about a nitrogen problem comparable to that of the Netherlands, even if he points out that only a few places are involved in Flanders. There are many intensive farms particularly in the Flemish Kempen and West Flanders where the nitrogen problem is greatest.
But, Reygaert underlines, it is in itself a Flemish government crisis: there is no problem in Wallonia. “It’s purely a regional issue,” he says. «That’s why there is no crisis in the Belgian government. They have less to do with it. Furthermore, the problem is much less serious in Wallonia, because there is less intensive agriculture there”.
Pour over?
However, the Flemings need not fear the fall of the government. The Flemish government cannot collapse. Reygaert: ‘If it had been possible, it would have happened. At the moment there is a stalemate that cannot be explained at all, even if it boils down to the fact that two thirds of the coalition – OpenVLD and N-VA – have approved the agreement, while the third partner CD&V does not want to approve it. ‘
As a desperate attempt, the N-VA now wants to submit the agreement to the Flemish parliament, in order to pass it after all. If successful, however, the government would de facto fall. “They would eliminate a coalition partner, but reelections are not possible,” he says. “In Flanders there is a legislative government, which means that elections are held only once every five years anyway.”
Exit the Christian Democrats?
If the CD&V still passes tomorrow, Reygaert expects the Christian Democrats to leave the government or be expelled. Then the Flemish government can continue to govern with a minority, or look for a new coalition partner. “In any case, the elections cannot take place until May 2024,” she concludes.
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
