Fixing Belgium's budget will be an uphill battle, PM tells parliament
Belgium's new prime minister, Bart De Wever, focused his government statement on the strenuous efforts that will be required of the people to get the country's finances back on track.
De Wever, who spoke for just under half an hour in the Chamber of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon, described the effort Belgium will have to make as a "col hors catégorie", a cycling term referring to the hardest climb in a race.
"Those who make the effort to climb the mountain will enjoy the view at the top"
Belgium faces an uphill struggle that "will not be a walk in the park" and "will take longer than one legislative term", said De Wever. But "those who make the effort to climb the mountain will enjoy the view at the top," he said.
Cuts and reforms
To that end, the government is calling for budgetary cuts and reforms. The tax burden will be reduced by 1.5 billion euros, because "like shearing sheep, you have to stop when you get to the skin, and in this country we have reached that point," said De Wever.
Belgium's prime minister Bart De Wever delivers a government statement to the country's Chamber of Representatives on 4 February 2025 © BELGA VIDEO MAARTEN WEYNANTS
There will be a "solidarity contribution" in the form of a capital gains tax on shares, which the prime minister called "a fair contribution for the benefit of working people". De Wever also said the government would step up the fight against tax and social security fraud.
Sensitive measures
The prime minister insisted that people who work should always earn 500 euros more net than those who do not. Therefore, cuts would have to be made elsewhere. Pension reform is one such sensitive measure, and De Wever said he "understands the concerns" it has raised.
Limiting unemployment benefits over time is another sensitive measure, but there will be a higher starting benefit and an exemption for those over 55, he said. The government will also continue to invest "several billions" in health care.
Abolishing the Senate
De Wever, who leads the Flemish nationalist party New Flemish Alliance, was cautious when discussing the issue of reforming Belgium's federal state structure. He did say that the new government would seek a two-thirds majority to abolish the Senate, the second chamber of the country's federal parliament. The proposal was greeted with loud applause.
A vote of confidence will be held on Thursday from 16.15
The Chamber will debate the prime minister's government statement all day and possibly into the night on Wednesday. By then, MPs should have received the necessary budget tables to assess the government's plans. A vote of confidence will be held on Thursday from 16.15, after which the De Wever government can really get going.
Belgium's prime minister Bart De Wever delivers a government statement to the country's Chamber of Representatives on 4 February 2025 © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM
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