Now liberal senator Bart Tommelein has promised to join with N-VA in an attempt to block the measure by a procedural move. Some forms of legislation do not require to be passed by both Chamber and Senate, but the Senate can "evoke" the bill and bring it into the upper house with the support of 15 members. N-VA has 14 seats and has pledged to evoke the measure. Once the bill is in the Senate, it can be delayed. However the Chamber has already raised enough votes for a reference to the Council of State for an opinion on its legality - another delaying tactic.

The move by Tommelein is a blow to several prominent women in Open VLD, including former party president candidate Gwendolyn Rutten (pictured) and interior minister Annemie Turtelboom, who are in favour of limited application of quotas for women. On VRT radio, Rutten explained her party's position on the question but said that she would be voting in favour of the measure, while making a personal statement of her views.