King Philippe appoints Bart De Wever informateur

King Philippe has appointed N-VA party president Bart De Wever as informateur, whose task it is to lead the formation of the new federal government. As leader of the largest party in the House, De Wever will now meet with multiple parties to negotiate Belgium’s next coalition government as quickly as possible.

De Wever began yesterday by meeting leaders of the French-speaking parties and is expected to present his findings to the king early next week. Political analysts have stated that he faces a very difficult task, as some Walloon parties have already said they would not serve in a government alongside the nationalist N-VA. Didier Reynders of the liberals (MR) was more cautious yesterday, saying simply that he would prefer not to be in a government with N-VA.