A Departure from Tradition: The Absence of Formal Press Briefings

Since assuming office, Prime Minister Bart de Wever’s governance, known as the Arizona government, has notably refrained from holding regular, formal press conferences. This contrasts sharply with previous administrations, such as that of Sophie Wilmès during the COVID-19 crisis, which prioritized frequent public addresses to keep citizens informed.While Wilmès’ approach wasn’t always perfectly executed, it demonstrated a commitment to transparency during a critical period. The current government’s silence raises questions about its communication priorities, especially amidst ongoing global trade tensions and geopolitical uncertainties.

The Prime minister’s Communication Style: A Selective Approach

Instead of traditional press conferences, Prime Minister de Wever has favored a more selective communication strategy. He frequently utilizes social media,particularly video capsules,to connect with the public. Though, these informal updates differ significantly from structured press briefings that allow for in-depth questioning and thorough explanations of government policy. This approach has drawn criticism, with some suggesting that it limits public understanding of the government’s agenda and priorities.

Notably, an agreement reached on April 11th following Easter did not result in a press conference. Instead, the government opted to communicate via email, citing ongoing negotiations surrounding the program law.This decision further fueled concerns about the government’s commitment to open communication.

Contrasting public and Private Personas

Interestingly, while Prime Minister de wever has been reserved in his official communications, he maintains an active presence on social media, sharing glimpses into his personal life. This juxtaposition of a guarded public image and a more open private persona has sparked debate about the Prime Minister’s communication strategy and its effectiveness in engaging with the Belgian population.

Furthermore, reports indicate a divergence in the Prime Minister’s communication style depending on the audience. As early as February, De Standaard, a Flemish newspaper, highlighted differences in the Prime Minister’s messaging when addressing French-speaking versus Flemish audiences. This nuanced approach, utilizing different languages and tones for various audiences, adds another layer of complexity to the government’s communication strategy.

The Prime Minister prefers to select one or the other journalist in whom he trusts rather than addressing the mass.
A Flemish member of Arizona

Ministerial Delegation: Shifting the Communication Burden?

Sources suggest that Prime Minister de Wever may be delegating communication responsibilities to his ministers. This approach would see individual ministers presenting their respective policy agreements, perhaps at their party headquarters. This strategy could be interpreted as a way to distribute the communication burden and allow ministers to take ownership of their portfolios. However, it also raises concerns about the overall coherence and consistency of the government’s messaging.

Adding to the complexity, Finance Minister Jan Jambon is scheduled to hold a press conference on tax declarations on April 28th, coinciding with the start of the Francophone spring holidays. This timing has raised eyebrows, with some questioning whether it was intentionally chosen to minimize scrutiny.

A Matter of Temperament or a Intentional Strategy?

Some observers attribute Prime minister de Wever’s communication style to his personal temperament. According to a Flemish member of the Arizona government, the Prime Minister is not fond of large-scale confrontations with numerous journalists, preferring instead to engage with select journalists he trusts. This preference for controlled communication environments may explain the reluctance to hold regular press conferences.

However, others believe that the Prime Minister’s approach is a deliberate strategy, designed to control the narrative and avoid needless scrutiny. Regardless of the underlying motivation, the Arizona government’s communication strategy represents a significant departure from previous administrations and raises vital questions about transparency and accountability.

De Wever does not want to do like Croo or Michel. It is indeed not his ideology. He always liked to deliver some aspects of his private life on social networks, but for press conferences, he prefers to wait for the most important moments.
A regular on 16