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Government formation: nerves play tricks on negotiators

Only on Monday it seemed like the four centre-right parties forming the new Belgian government would come up with a deal this very week, but VRT's political editor Johnny Vansevenant now believes that a difference of opinion on the budget between the Flemish Christian democrats and liberals could put off agreement until next week.

What exactly forms the stumbling block depends on the source you consult. The Christian democrats accuse the liberals of rejecting all their proposals that would lead to a tax shift. The liberals also stand accused of opposing tax measures to give single-income couples a break.

The liberals insist that they wanted to establish clarity with regard to the reform of what is tax-deductible and what isn't. They are apparently worried that the tax relief given to people who take part in the retirement pension savings scheme could be cut.

Flemish nationalist sources have been keen to play down the tension saying that leaks caused friction and led to a rather nervous day at the negotiating table. The N-VA believe that ruffled feathers will soon be smoothed.
 

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