Belgian PM Bart De Wever Sets Christmas Deadline for Budget
BRUSSELS — Prime Minister Bart De Wever informed the Belgian parliament on Thursday that he has requested King Philippe to allow the government until Christmas to finalize a budget deal. Negotiations among coalition parties remain tense as they aim to fulfill their pledge to cut 10 billion euros in spending.
“Our situation can no longer tolerate procrastination,” said De Wever after meeting with the king. “We must not allow ourselves to be paralyzed. We must take decisive action and show that this country is resilient. That is why I asked: ‘Sire, give me 50 days.’”
De Wever emphasized that the 50-day extension was the final one, stating that the deadline would not be pushed further. Disagreements over raising VAT and freezing automatic wage indexation have fueled disputes and protests over potential spending cuts.
The government has missed multiple self-imposed deadlines, raising the risk that Belgium will operate under an emergency system next year, permitting only one-twelfth of the 2025 budget to be spent monthly until a deal is reached.
King Philippe, in a statement shared by local media, “urges all parties involved to take responsibility … so that the country can establish a clear budgetary path for the coming years as soon as possible.”
He underscored that reaching a comprehensive agreement is essential not only for Belgium’s financial stability but also for maintaining its credibility in Europe and internationally.
Author’s Summary
Belgium’s Prime Minister Bart De Wever seeks an extended window until Christmas to secure a long-delayed budget agreement, warning that no further delays will be tolerated.