2024-01-03 17:33:00
One week before the deadline, the phones were heated between Georges-Louis Bouchez, president of the MR, Sophie Wilmès, future federal leader, and David Leisterh, president of the Brussels MR. The negotiations, for the moment, have not been successful.
It must be said that with Alexia Bertrand and Didier Reynders, the liberal executives have two big stones in their shoes.
The situation is changing, even if some clear trends are confirmed.
David Leisterh seems in pole position to lead the Brussels regional list, facing Ahmed Laaouej (PS) and Zakia Khattabi (Écolo). The MR is trying to poach a female figure with an immigrant background to appear in second position, while Vincent De Wolf would be third. Be careful, however: as long as there is no agreement on everything, there is no agreement on anything.
At the Federal, first place is promised to Sophie Wilmès, ahead of Michel De Maegd.
Hadja Lahbib would be third ahead of Alexia Bertrand
The third should go to Hadja Lahbib, Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs. Georges-Louis Bouchez and Sophie Wilmès intend to capitalize on the popularity of the woman they chose to propel to the federal government rather than Alexia Bertrand, then considered for the position.
According to information from La Libre, if the barons of the MR have indeed ended up agreeing for Alexia Bertrand to make a joint list with the MR, it is still fourth place on the federal list – a place of fight – which would be privileged for her.
However, last October, Alexia Bertrand, who became Secretary of State for the Budget and moved to the Open VLD, said she was ready to draw her own federal list if her original party, the MR, did not reserve the right for her. third place in the Brussels list for the Chamber.
Elections 2024: Alexia Bertrand ready to draw her own list if she does not win her case with the MR
Will the Secretary of State for the Budget finally accept fourth place, behind Hadja Lahbib, knowing that the French-speaking liberals, in 2019, had only won three seats in the House?
“She will have no other choice but to accept,” analyzes a liberal source. Presenting yourself without the MR at the Federal would seem like a suicide mission for Alexia Bertrand.
Some liberals are more circumspect, because a reaction of pride from Alexia Bertrand, who refuses to go behind Hadja Lahbib, might be costly. Their analysis is summarized as follows: alone, Alexia Bertrand cannot win, but she can prevent the MR from winning its 4th seat.
The fact remains that Alexia Bertrand, who is not kept informed of the progress of the discussions, is growing impatient. “At some point, if nothing moves on the MR side, she will have no choice but to move forward alone…”, a well-informed source tells us. In the event of refusal, the MR will have to review its plans…
Alexia Bertrand, the revenge of a liberal snubbed by the MR
Reynders wants Europe, but the place is not entirely free
Resolving the case of Didier Reynders, for whom Alexia Bertrand was chief of staff in Foreign Affairs, promises to be even more difficult.
The European Commissioner for Justice is also still without news from the party, even though he has clearly stated his ambitions. In mid-November, on RTL-TVI, Didier Reynders expressed his “availability” to appear on the liberal list for the European elections, and his even deeper desire to continue within the European executive for a second term. He also said he did not rule out running for the presidency of the party, which is supposed to be renewed in a little less than a year. In Reyndersian language, this candidacy can be translated as a warning to Georges-Louis Bouchez. Please don’t forget this when making the lists…
2024 elections: Didier Reynders would like to return to the Commission or… take over the presidency of the MR
A major downside: his long-time rival, Charles Michel, as President of the European Council, has a form of priority at the head of the European list. However, the former Prime Minister still keeps the party in a form of artistic vagueness regarding his own intentions. If Charles Michel chooses to take the European list, second place will have to go to a woman.
Valérie Glatigny aims for Europe
Valérie Glatigny, who is cited with emphasis, is a candidate. The party initially wanted her to run for the Region. The former Minister of Higher Education, following experiencing health problems and leaving the government of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, is now determined to concentrate on European matters. Since her recovery, Valérie Glatigny has also resumed her position as head of unit within the liberal group in the European Parliament.
Minister Valérie Glatigny resigns and announces she must undergo medical intervention
The position of first substitute would be given to Olivier Chastel.
In this scenario, Didier Reynders would therefore be in the review…
What future for Charles Michel? The question still agitates the MR: “I think he will return to Belgian politics”
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If Charles Michel shows up in Europe, I really don’t know what will happen to him. He will have great difficulty accepting anything other than going to Europe. He is of retirement age and has had a good career. But I doubt he’ll hear it that way.”
A question then arises, to which no one within the party yet seems to have an answer. “What to do with Didier Reynders? If Charles Michel shows up in Europe, I really don’t know what will happen to him. He is of retirement age and has had a good career. But I doubt he will hear it that way,” points out a liberal elected official.
At 65, Didier Reynders has directed his career towards Europe, where he intends to continue his career, as a commissioner, deputy, or in another international position. After leading lists for twenty years at different levels of power, the former president of the MR will not accept being in 3rd or 4th position on a regional or federal list. This represents a real headache for the party…
”The candidacy of Didier Reynders has been known for months. He is the only one to have declared himself officially. The situation can be resolved quite easily by Georges-Louis Bouchez, in reality. It would be enough to ask Charles Michel whether or not he is a candidate for the head of the European list,” a Reyndersian tells us.
“Didier Reynders risks being cumbersome”
“If Georges-Louis Bouchez does not decide, Didier Reynders risks being cumbersome,” predicts another internal source.
Charles Michel and Georges-Louis Bouchez clearly have a personal interest in nipping in the bud the desire of such a tenor to meddle once more in party affairs. But how ?
The tension is likely to rise a notch in the coming days.
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