Belgium has become the latest European country to form a government led by the populist nationalist anti-immigration party of the right. After eight months of coalition talks since the parliamentary election, a new government has been formed led by the populist nationalist anti-immigration New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) party. The new prime minister will be Bart de Wever, former mayor of Antwerp. De Wever announced the new coalition formation in a press conference with Belgium's King Philippe.
It is ironic, considering the European Union's headquarters is based in Belgium’s capital of Brussels, to now have the national government led by a Eurosceptic party. Meanwhile, coalition discussions continue elsewhere; for example, Austria is attempting to hammer out a new government with its own populist nationalist anti-immigration Freedom Party and the traditional conservative Austrian Peoples Party. Like Belgium, the Austrian parties have promised to take hard line immigration policies.
Following days of intense discussions, Belgium has finalized the formation of its new Federal Government after prolonged negotiations. The past week saw leaders of five parties quickly solidifying the key points necessary for the next government's programme of reforms and policies. With a “hard deadline” set for January 31, if no agreement was reached, Bart De Wever would withdraw from his role as formator. Tension loomed, as it remained uncertain whether consensus could be achieved among the economically right-wing N-VA and MR, and the only left-leaning coalition partner, Flemish socialists Vooruit.
Finally, on Friday night, De Wever was able to report to King Philippe, stating the coalition agreement had been secured. Despite the celebration, discussions continued until the early hours of Saturday as the teams finalized details of government roles. Ministerial portfolios were expected to be settled by the following Monday.
The Belgian press responded with mixed emotions. “Better late than never” read headlines across the country, with one French publication likening the new government's birth to delivering a difficult baby with forceps. Some commentators highlighted the underlying fractures among the coalition parties, expressing concern over the future functioning of the government. “Belgium cannot afford a repeat of the Vivaldi government, which was unproductive and inefficient,” wrote journalist Paul Gérard.
Others pointed out the acute power struggles and divisions, as the past couple of days reflected more of negotiation fatigue rather than genuine governance enthusiasm. Local papers considered De Wever’s ability to balance Flemish interests with national leadership. “He can’t save the country if he keeps insisting it has no future,” warned local commentator Marnix Int Panis.
The five parties making up the coalition government sought to present the formation as a success, emphasizing aspects appealing to their different supporter bases. The francophone liberals MR boldly claimed the government was necessary for Belgium's revival. “We are neither the party of dreams nor the party of strikes. For seven months, Belgium waited for government formation. We did not yield to pressure,” the MR explained through their statement.
MR’s platform indicates they plan to reform taxes, improve energy policies, tackle security issues with stricter regulations, and reinforce their migration rules. On the other hand, the Flemish socialists of Vooruit announced they could secure wage indexes, meaning social benefits and pensions would maintain pace with cost of living hikes.
CD&V has ensured their objectives align with supporting working families, committing to modernize labor regulations and health sectors. Meanwhile, Les Engagés’ leader Maxime Prévot underscored facilitating accessible healthcare as central to collaboration.
The reception from political opponents was starkly less favorable. The francophone greens Ecolo called the coalition government “a Titanic government,” expressing concern over De Wever's steering decisions leading to potential disaster for the majority. Samuel Cogolati, Ecolo's co-chair, expressed shock over the coalition’s policies. Raoul Hedebouw, the President of the Workers' Party of Belgium (PTB/PVDA), expressed differing views, predicting cuts to pensions and social protections.
The coalition's economic plans include establishing capital gains taxes on share sales at 10%. Those beginning work at age 18 have been promised retirement after 42 years, at age 60. The agreement will limit unemployment benefits temporarily but with protections for older workers. Measures aimed at curtailing asylum migration and family reunification are anticipated within the program.
Importantly, the new government is also focusing on bolstering defense budgets and modernizing military equipment. Enhanced safety measures at train stations, including the Brussels-Midi, signify the government's commitment to address drug-related concerns and related crime effectively.
The new government faces mounting challenges with Belgium's economy reflecting high debt levels due for scrutiny. Before the 2024 elections, there are intentions to abolish the Senate and introduce funds freezes on political parties to encourage economic accountability. The central bank warns of the necessity for urgent reforms to safeguard Belgium from future crises.
With its formation, the new Belgian federal government now prepares to take on the weighty issues at hand, steering forward amid public scrutiny and economic challenges. The road ahead is uncertain as coalition members grapple with the delicate balance of diverse political interests, all under the leadership of Bart De Wever.