Observers view Dirk De Smedt’s move as a pressure tactic to advance negotiations for forming a new Brussels government, while critics warn of potential conflicts of interest because one nominee is Dorien Robben, De Smedt’s partner, who was put forward for deputy director-general at the SLRB.

De Smedt argues a hiring moratorium should apply to management roles since there is no budget for new positions, and he warns that approving nominations now could undermine ongoing regional administration reform negotiated in Brussels.

The suspended nominations encompassed strategically important roles at the SLRB (housing), Bruxelles Propreté, Brussels Port, Brussels Environment, Perspective, and a possible new bouwmeester, along with extending Julie Fiszman’s mandate at SPRB.

Colleagues from PS, Écolo, and Défi criticized De Smedt’s stance as disruptive, describing his approach as aggressive and iconoclastic relative to his predecessor Sven Gatz.

A SPRB legal analysis confirms a direct conflict of interest in the nomination, recommending that De Smedt recuse himself while other government members continue the discussion.

The conflict could force the government, including the PS minister-president, to decide whether to proceed with the nominations, potentially reshaping Brussels’ path toward a new government.

Dirk De Smedt, newly installed Brussels budget minister from Open VLD, halted a round of high-level civil servant nominations in the Brussels administration, arguing that five-year terms cannot be granted during a caretaker government.