Charles Michel replaces De Wever as informateur

After Bart De Wever’s resignation as informateur in forming a new federal government last week, King Philippe appointed Charles Michel, chair of the French-speaking liberal party MR, as the new informateur. Michel will begin talks, he says, “with a blank sheet”.

On Friday, Michel met unions and employers’ organisations. On Saturday, he spoke with acting prime minister Elio Di Rupo. Today he was due to meet De Wever, his predecessor as informateur and leader of Flanders’ largest party, N-VA. Later, Di Rupo is expected again, this time representing the French-speaking socialists PS, along with party president Paul Magnette. A report from Michel is expected by Friday.

Meanwhile, Flemish entrepreneurs fear a repeat of the parting “tripartite” coalition – with Christian-democrats, socialists and liberals, but without N-VA. According to a poll by Unizo, which represents Flanders’ self-employed, 72% would rather not see a tripartite, even if that means a long crisis. More than half would boycott such a coalition by postponing investments, not creating extra jobs or even sending production abroad.

In related news, Marianne Thyssen (CD&V) has the support of Flemish parties SP.A, N-VA and possibly also Open VLD as Belgium’s new European commissioner. Thyssen, an MEP since 1991, has not declared herself as a candidate yet. Belgium’s representative in the European Commission is traditionally decided as part of the federal government talks.