The Belgian political scene has seen a notable shift as Bart De Wever (N-VA) officially took office as Prime Minister today. The ceremony was held at the Royal Palace, where De Wever and his new cabinet took their oaths before the King at 9:00 AM.
One notable absence from the newly formed government is Georges-Louis Bouchez, the president of the MR party, who has decided to remain at the head of the liberal party rather than accept the vice-premier position he was approached for. Bouchez's decision came as both it allowed him to focus on his party leadership and avoid the contentious atmosphere surrounding the interior ministry.
The new government lineup has sparked interest with David Clarinval stepping up as vice-premier, overseeing the portfolios of employment, economy, and agriculture. The experienced Bernard Quintin will now manage both security and the interior, having served as Belgium's foreign minister prior. Young politician Eleonore Simonet has also made headlines, being appointed to oversee the responsibilities for small and medium enterprises, as well as the middle class.
Later today, the outgoing Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open VLD) will officially pass the baton to De Wever at the government headquarters, with their meeting set to occur at 10:00 AM.
Speaking to reporters earlier, Bart De Wever expressed confidence throughout the final negotiations leading to his appointment, which he candidly referred to as “cries” indicative of the contentious nature of discussions.
“I never lost confidence during the last stretch,” he noted, remaining calm and resolute.
Addressing Flemish demands, De Wever assured citizens: “I wish for evolution, not revolution.” His approach seems geared toward handling sensitive negotiations with consideration for Belgium's national symbols, such as the national holiday celebrated on July 21.
Looking beyond immediate reforms, he mentioned, “It is time to stop the decay,” referencing Belgium’s significant budgetary challenges. De Wever reiterated his commitment to address socio-economic reforms, underscoring the necessity to rejuvenate the economy for both the northern and southern constituents of the nation.
Reflecting on his unexpected rise, he revealed, “It wasn’t really my dream,” yet recognized the electoral changes sparked by the populace’s desire for renewal, stating he intends to make the most of the current political alignment.
De Wever’s comments were particularly pointed against the existing coalition led by the Vivaldi government. He remarked, “We have the worst budget of the Western world. It was high time to stop the decay.” He expressed contempt at the French-speaking socialist party, labelling it synonymous with poverty and welfare dependency, vowing to chart a different course for his administration.
“It will be challenging to save and reduce the public deficit,” he warned, adding, “We lead by example but seek the entire society's cooperation.” The new administration’s aims include possible reforms like abolishing the Senate and reducing the status and pay of parliamentarians.
Formal ratification of the cabinet positions is underway, with sources indicating the new government will likely consist of 15 ministers and no secretaries of state—a notable departure from previous practice. There’s been speculation as to whether the balance of male to female ministers may shift, as former Prime Minister Alexander De Croo had established gender parity.
Later this week, De Wever will face the parliament for his inaugural address and to seek confidence from the assembly. His coalition commands 81 seats out of 150, which provides the governing body with relative stability.
Anticipation grows as the date for the confidence vote—the first Thursday post-inaugural—approaches. Political analysts are closely watching how De Wever proposes to implement the promised reforms and whether he can effectively bridge the regional divides within Belgium.