The formation of Belgium’s federal government concluded last week as Bart De Wever became Prime Minister, leading a five-party coalition. De Wever vows to crack down on migration, reform the tax system, and shift energy policy.
De Wever’s New Flemish Alliance party joined with Flemish Christian democrats, Flemish socialists, Francophone liberals, and Les Engagés centrists to build the cabinet.
The mix bridges Belgium’s Dutch-speaking north and French-speaking south, though some call the union fragile.
The Senate, meeting just ten times yearly, faces the axe. This backing from outside the ruling group, as changing Belgium’s basic laws requires a two-thirds vote.
Political parties will see their funding frozen. Phone companies must find their users the cheapest plans.
Migration Rules Tighten as Numbers Rise
De Wever began by cutting migration flows. His ministers set firm rules: no asylum for those who applied elsewhere, harder terms for family members to join, and tougher tests for permanent stays.
New arrivals must wait five years for full benefits. The government will test newcomers on language skills and local customs before granting Belgian citizenship.
These changes match Belgium’s shifting structure. Numbers show migration will soon power all population growth. By 2040, Belgium will gain 160,000 newcomers yearly, mostly from outside the EU.
The Federal Planning Bureau sees this trend lasting decades, as older EU states send fewer people to Belgium.
Economic Reforms Target Workers
De Wever’s team wants workers to keep more money. Couples could save €1,900 in taxes yearly. Singles would gain €1,200. To pay for this, stock profits above €10,000 face a 10% tax.
Pay will still rise with prices through automatic indexing. Job seekers under 55 lose benefits after two years. The rules spare older workers, who keep getting help until retirement.
Energy Plans Change Course
Former Prime Minister Alexander De Croo’s nuclear exit plan died quickly. De Wever wants two reactors running until 2045, though the Engie power firm objects.Â
The coalition backs a carbon-free 2050, cuts oil and gas aid, and makes heat pumps cheaper. Train tickets will cost less than flying, with better links between rail hubs and airports. Google and Meta face new taxes.
Security Forces Get New Tools
Defence gets more money for drones and cyber tools. A year-long military service opens to volunteers. Police stations gain officers, with some areas doubling their numbers. Brussels merges its police zones, though local mayors resist.
Anyone who attacks police, firefighters, or medics faces tougher punishments. Train stations get new safety rules, with zero tolerance for drugs.
Regional Growth Shows Deep Divide
Dutch-speaking Flanders pulls ahead of its neighbours. Figures from Belgium’s counting office show Flanders grew 0.69% in 2023, while Brussels rose 0.68% and Wallonia added 0.29%.
Flanders drew 14,856 more people from other parts of Belgium than it lost. Brussels saw 18,752 residents move to other regions, but gained through births and foreign arrivals. Antwerp leads all provinces with 0.81% growth, followed by Flemish Brabant at 0.78%.
This rightwing turn meets a split in Belgian life. Data points to Flanders growing 17% by 2070, as Brussels adds 4% and Wallonia 2%. Birth rates keep falling as Belgium faces its worst crisis in decades. By 2070, Belgium will count 2.4 working-age people for each person over 67, down from 3.6 today.
Each region now charts its own course through these stark changes.
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