Belgian Federal Budget: 'I Don't Think I Made a Mistake,' Says De Wever Amid Deficit Concerns

The Belgian federal government is grappling with a substantial budget deficit, requiring the identification of an additional €7.7 billion by 2029 and €9.8 billion by 2031 to fulfill its European financial obligations. Prime Minister Alexander De Wever acknowledged these figures, stating that while much work has been done, consensus-building is key to developing prudent measures.

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Much work has already been done. We will seek a consensus to develop wise measures.

During a plenary session in the Chamber, De Wever responded to criticism from Paul Magnette of the Socialist Party (PS), who questioned the government's fiscal strategy. De Wever firmly stated, "I do not think I made a mistake," comparing the nation's financial health not to the Titanic approaching an iceberg, but to a collision that has already occurred years ago.

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I do not think I made a mistake.

Georges-Louis Bouchez, president of the Reform Movement (MR), supported De Wever's assessment, presenting a graph that indicated a deficit increase since the previous government's tenure. He argued that the issue is mathematical rather than ideological. However, the opposition, including Raoul Hedebouw of the Workers' Party of Belgium (PTB) and Sarah Schlitz of Ecolo-Groen, sharply criticized the government's approach, questioning its purpose and attributing the budget shortfall to political choices. The Court of Audit has also reportedly critiqued the government's expected financial returns, intensifying the pressure to address the budget gap.

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The collision has already taken place a few years ago.