Belgians are keeping their fingers crossed that Vandenbroucke will remain in the federal government, as Forward is the only left-wing party capable of forming a center-right government. If Vandenbroucke were to take on a role in the European Commission, it would not be beneficial for his party due to their ideology and the nomination process for top jobs in Belgium, where a European role costs more points than a national ministerial post.
According to Sinardet, having a European commissioner could result in having one less minister, which may not be advantageous if the party is already marginalized due to their ideological position. The focus is not solely on whether Vandenbroucke would make a good commissioner, but also on whether his absence in Belgium can be managed.
Other potential candidates for the role of European commissioner from Belgium include Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, former prime minister and current premier of Wallonia Elio Di Rupo, leader of the French-speaking Socialists and mayor of Charleroi Paul Magnette, and former prime minister and ex-foreign affairs minister Sophie Wilmès. The question remains, if Vandenbroucke does not take on this role, then who will step in?
