The Belgian Greens Ecolo have entered into a coalition government in the Belgium Wallonia regional government and the Wallonia-Brussels Federation with the Socialist Party (PS) and the liberal Reformist Movement (MR) after an agreement was made in the early hours on Friday morning after months of negotiations.
Reacting to the results, Ecolo’s co-president Jean-Marc Nollet said:
“The agreement to form a government is ambitious in its scope to tackle both social and environmental concerns. It will allow us to take on climate destruction and put us on course to meeting the challenges laid out in the Paris climate agreement. Our aim is to put in place concrete measures such as insulating our homes, improving sustainable public transport, increasing renewable energy sources and greening our public space. We also pledge to boost investment in higher education and improve early education.”
The co-chairs of the European Green Party Monica Frassoni and Reinhard Bütikofer said:
“We congratulate the Belgian Green party Ecolo on joining a coalition government in the Belgium region of Wallonia. They already hold key positions in the Brussels regional government and this will allow them to extend their reach and influence in spreading Green values and policies. This regional green wave is part of a broader trend towards better representation for Greens in government across Europe and is proof that we are an increasingly relevant and mature political force.
More info: Belgian’s French speaking Green Party Ecolo has been assigned the following portfolios in the Belgium Wallonia regional government and the Wallonia-Brussels Federation:
• Bénédicte Linard, Minister of Early Childhood, Culture, Media, Health and Women's Rights
• Céline Tellier, Minister of the Environment, Nature, Animal Welfare and Rural Renewal
• Philippe Henry, Minister in charge of Climate, Mobility, Infrastructure and Energy
For interviews please contact:
Lauriane Douchamps, Ecolo press officer: +32 478 98 59 96
Paul Nolan, European Green Party press officer: +32 475 94 69 81
