12 June 2007
BRUSSELS –Flemish minister president Yves Leterme (Christian democrat CD&V) continues to defend his party’s electoral partner the New Flemish Alliance NV-A from the CD&V’s Walloon sister party the Humanist Democratic Centre (CDH).
Leterme said on the francophone radio station La Première that he is “determined” to include the N-VA in a government, something the CDH is not at all pleased about.
CDH leader Joëlle Milquet said on Monday that she does not want to take part in the government if N-VA is included in the coalition.
Leterme responded dispassionately by saying that “if the party does not want to take part in the government, that is the CDH’s own decision.”
“I have a lot of respect for the CDH, but if Joëlle Milquet decides that they do not want a part in the federal government, we will do it without her,” Leterme added. He added that there are “also other parties” that are up for consideration.
[Copyright Expatica News 2007]
Subject: Belgian news