Belgium is gearing up for a new chapter as Bart De Wever, leader of the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), officially takes office as the country’s Prime Minister following prolonged negotiations. After nearly eight months of political deadlock triggered by the June elections, De Wever's rise marks the first time Belgium will be led by a Flemish nationalist, signaling significant shifts within the nation’s political fabric.
Faced with mounting pressure from King Philippe, who urged the parties to finalize their negotiations by the end of January, five political groups—from both the Dutch-speaking Flanders and French-speaking Wallonia regions—managed to broker a coalition agreement. The deal, reached only after arduous discussions, brings together N-VA, the centrist Christian Democrats, and the left-leaning Vooruit from Flanders, alongside Les Engagés and the center-right Reformist Movement from Wallonia. Together, these parties command 81 of the 150 seats in Belgium's Parliament, granting them the necessary majority to govern.
De Wever had been mayor of Antwerp since 2013 and has grown from his earlier hardline nationalist stances to adopt more tempered views as he prepares to lead the national government. This transformation reflects not only his political strategy but also the changing dynamics of his party's platform. "I swear allegiance to the king," he affirmed during the oath-taking ceremony, eyeing the monarch with the kind of respect he once reserved for the very symbol of Belgian unity he had previously critiqued.
The coalition talks, which began following the fractious June elections, were fraught with challenges as parties navigated the complex linguistic and ideological divides within Belgium. The last government, led by Alexander De Croo, famously took 493 days to form after the 2019 elections, making this relatively quicker resolution emblematic of possible new political synergy under De Wever's leadership.
One of the most pressing issues on De Wever’s agenda is the nation’s economic policies, echoing his party's commitment to budgetary cleanup and fiscal discipline. Advocates of his strategy argue it is imperative to address the country's mounting debt, which exceeds 100 percent of its GDP, placing Belgium among the most heavily indebted nations in the EU. Nonetheless, the prospect of reduced social benefits and pension reforms has drawn sharp criticism from labor unions and social advocacy groups, raising concerns about potential impacts on Belgium’s welfare system.
During the coalition negotiations, key ministers for the new cabinet were announced. Maxime Prévot from Les Engagés will oversee foreign affairs, and Jean-Luc Crucke will handle climate and mobility. The new administration also includes Annelies Verlinden as Minister of Justice and Frank Vandenbroucke as Minister of Health.
Interestingly, De Wever's coalition excludes Vlaams Belang, another significant Flemish nationalist party, which advocates for the region's secession from Belgium. This absence highlights De Wever’s strategic choices to balance more moderate nationalist policies within the wider government framework, appealing to both Flemish and Walloon constituents.
The linguistic balance of the new government also reflects Belgium’s deep-rooted tensions between the Flemish and Francophone cultures, necessitating political cooperation across these divides. De Wever remarked, "You can not take part in government and wait until the system can be taken as whole. I never believed in this. The option is to take part when you can and obtain things for your community, which is what we did."
Critics, meanwhile, are quick to point out the gender imbalance within the new cabinet, where only three out of fifteen ministers are women, contrasting sharply with De Croo’s previous near parity. De Wever expressed regret over this, admitting it was not prioritized during the coalition discussions.
De Wever's commitment to maintaining economic stability and implementing the strictest migration policies Belgium has ever seen will be closely watched. The growing right-wing influences across Europe, evident from De Wever’s ascent, mirror broader shifts occurring within the EU. Scholar Alberto Alemanno noted, "This makes 15 out of 27 EU governments on the right," drawing attention to the growing prominence of right-leaning parties across the continent.
Significantly, De Wever's relationship with China could also play a role in shaping Belgium's international relations, having previously engaged with Chinese officials during his tenure as mayor. His long-standing connection with Antwerp's sister city Shanghai signifies his proactive approach to bolster economic ties beyond Europe.
With the swearing-in ceremony completed and the new cabinet set to work, many are left to ponder what this new government means for Belgium’s future. Will De Wever be able to maintain his coalition amid the divergent interests of its members? Will his governance steered by the right prove beneficial or detrimental to the traditional social fabric of Belgium? The answers to these questions will be uncovered as he steps fully onto the national stage.