"You are the most deceitful woman I have ever met": How Annelies Verlinden is becoming the most targeted minister in the government

Belgian Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden appears to be increasingly targeted within the federal government, facing sharp criticism from coalition partners over her handling of sensitive ethical dossiers. A recent meeting of the government's core group, convened to discuss abortion, surrogacy, and euthanasia for dementia patients, saw intense backlash against Verlinden.

During the meeting, Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke reportedly accused Verlinden of acting unilaterally in the press with a proposal to extend the abortion period to 14 weeks. This move reportedly blindsided coalition partners, particularly Vooruit, who had agreed to the extension under the condition of progress in other ethical areas. Vandenbroucke's alleged remark, "You are the most deceitful woman I have ever met in my life," underscores the depth of the conflict.

Sources within the coalition suggest that Verlinden's approach, described as "playing solo" rather than negotiating, has created significant friction. Even Prime Minister Bart De Wever (N-VA), whose party generally aligns with CD&V's conservative stance, reportedly intervened, stating that Verlinden's actions were unnecessary. The prolonged debate over a timeline for these ethical issues further exacerbated tensions, with one source from Vooruit complaining that the government was "held hostage over a date."

CD&V, Verlinden's party, expressed regret over the attacks, with some within the party suggesting that electoral motives or Verlinden's "female way of doing politics" might be contributing factors. However, the immediate fallout highlights a significant challenge for the federal government in navigating these complex ethical debates and maintaining internal cohesion.