In politics, the principle is well known: as long as there is no agreement on everything, there is no agreement on anything. Arizona’s federal negotiators have not yet drawn it up. But it won’t be long…
This little sentence is one of the refrains whose origins are difficult to defineas it has been expressed many times: “As long as there is no agreement on everything, there is no agreement on anything”, as they say.
Ce elementary principle of political negotiation prevails in many places and at all levels of power. When it comes to negotiating an agreement at the end of a COP or to conclude a municipal majority agreement, when we are busy preparing a federal budget as during negotiations between social partners, at the time of an institutional reform or any other agreement: this is well known, as long as there is no agreement on everything…
The formula can perform various functions. Furnish, delay, let future partners know that we have not said our last word, let citizens understand that we remain firm. It also simply reflects the state of negotiations which operate through compromise. Although we agree on a multitude of points, bones of contention can always arise before the final conclusion. Everything forms a balance around which everyone must find sufficient satisfaction. to add his signature.
We haven’t heard much from the Arizona representatives (N-VA, Vooruit, CD&V, MR and Les Engagés) draw out this old antiphon. Perhaps it is because, since the federal election, discussions have at no time been sufficiently advanced to authorize anyone to formulate it.
But we feel it emerging, gradually. We can guess it, implicitly. It should happen, sooner or laterbefore the end of the year. Perhaps this is a good sign, since we use it during the final adjustments.
Trainer Bart De Wever (N-VA) was once again reappointed by the royal palace at the start of the week. The next visit is scheduled for December 10. We are far from the slamming of doors, the staging and admissions of failure of previous months. At the time, there was no agreement on much, making an agreement on everything almost inconceivable. This time, the new method, it is said, makes it possible to reach agreements on a multitude of little thingswhich together will form a great whole.
The echoes coming from the negotiations in recent days were even surprisingly positive. It was about progressive progress, a work carried out slowly but surely, in a constructive climateeven if the most controversial subjects had not yet been addressed head-on. A few elements gathered for the five, therefore, which should prevent them from turning back later. The permanent noise has even been replaced by the greatest discretionwhich demonstrates a shared desire to give the trainer the best chance.
The real question is when the deal will happen. Before the end of the year, perhaps. The government in current affairs, in the meantime, has taken the initiative to avoid the budgetary blockage when the new year arrives. This leaves a few more weeks for those mainly concerned to bring out one of the most recurring little phrases in Belgian politics. Strongly.