Flemish ministers in Belgium’s incoming federal government: who’s joining De Wever’s cabinet?
With just a day to go before Bart De Wever is expected to be sworn in as Belgium’s new prime minister, more details are emerging about the ministers who will make up his federal government. While the francophone parties remain guarded about their appointments, the Flemish side of the coalition is set.
Bart De Wever (N-VA): Prime minister
After leading the coalition negotiations, N-VA leader De Wever will take charge of the new federal government. He will be the country’s first Flemish nationalist prime minister. In recent interviews, in both French and Dutch, he has stressed that he will be a prime minister for all Belgians.
Jan Jambon (N-VA): Deputy prime minister, Finance, Pensions & Cultural Institutions
Jambon returns to the federal government with a heavyweight portfolio. As deputy prime minister and Finance minister, he will play a key role in balancing the budget. His responsibilities also include tackling tax fraud, overseeing pensions, managing the National Lottery, and supervising Belgium’s cultural institutions.
Anneleen Van Bossuyt (N-VA): Minister for Asylum, Migration & Urban Policy
Van Bossuyt is a lawyer who entered politics in 2014 as an MEP for N-VA. Since 2019, she has served as a member of the Chamber of Representatives. Last year, she led N-VA’s local election campaign in Ghent, where her party managed to reach a coalition agreement with Voor Gent. However, the agreement was ultimately rejected by Vooruit members, preventing N-VA from joining the city’s governing majority.
Theo Francken (N-VA): Minister of Defence and Foreign Trade
A well-known figure in the Chamber of Representatives for his vocal stance on defence issues, Francken will now be responsible for implementing Belgium’s commitment to NATO’s 2 per cent spending target. In addition, he will take on the Foreign Trade portfolio.
Vincent Van Peteghem (CD&V): Deputy prime minister, Budget & Administrative Simplification
CD&V leader Sammy Mahdi has selected Van Peteghem as his party’s deputy prime minister. He will be responsible for the budget and administrative reform, taking on a key role in the government’s economic policies. Van Peteghem was Finance minister in the De Croo government.
Annelies Verlinden (CD&V): Minister for Justice & North Sea
Former Interior minister Verlinden will take on the Justice portfolio, a fitting role given her background as a lawyer. In addition, she will be responsible for Belgium’s territorial waters in the North Sea.
Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit): Deputy prime minister & Health minister
Vooruit has decided to keep Vandenbroucke in place as Health minister, allowing him to continue his work in the sector. Vandenbroucke retired from politics in 2011 after a successful career but made a comeback in 2020 as Health minister.
Rob Beenders (Vooruit): Minister of Consumer Affairs, Social Fraud & Equal Opportunities
Beenders will be the second Vooruit minister in the federal government. The 45-year-old, who previously served as a local councillor in Hasselt and as an MP in the Flemish Parliament from 2014 to 2019, is making a political comeback after a hiatus due to health reasons. In recent years, he worked for an international company specialising in hearing implants.
Francophone parties
While the Flemish ministers have been confirmed, the francophone parties remain more guarded. The final composition of the government is expected to be announced on Monday when De Wever is officially sworn in by the King.
#FlandersNewsService | N-VA leader Bart De Wever, Belgium’s soon to be prime minister © BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS
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