Bart De Wever (N-VA)
Government formed 2025-02-03 · Confidence vote 2025-02-12
Total: 82 seats · Majority: 76
Coalition Seat Distribution
Recent Political Decisions
Approved 2026 Q1 budget adjustment — €680M additional cuts to meet Commission Q1 milestone
Triggers Commission positive assessment for avoiding EDP. Social sector absorbs 45% of cuts.
Statement: Belgium will meet NATO 2% GDP defence target by end-2026, up from 1.3%
Requires additional €3.2B in defence spending. Conflicts with consolidation plan. Creative accounting expected.
Passed Migration Code first reading — 77 votes for, 73 against
Narrow majority signals coalition fragility on migration. ECHR compatibility challenges filed.
Nuclear extension investment agreement operational — €15B total investment confirmed
Locks in energy strategy for 20 years. EU State Aid final decision pending Q3 2026.
Activated social indexation mechanism review — wage growth cap at CPI+0.5% for 2026-2027
Union sector strikes planned Q2 2026. Wage competitiveness vs social protection core tension.
Approved €4.2B Belgian Defence Modernisation Plan (2025-2030)
F-35 delivery acceleration, cyber capabilities, maritime patrol. Part of EU EDIP eligibility filing.
Legislative Tracking
7 instrumentsBelgian Multi-Annual Fiscal Plan 2025–2029 (submitted to EU)
€26B consolidation plan over 4 years. Mix of spending cuts (€15B) and revenue measures (€11B). Commission flagged structural adjustment insufficient for first year; warned of Excessive Deficit Procedure risk.
New Belgian Asylum & Migration Law (Revised Immigration Code)
Stricter asylum procedures, faster family reunification delays, voluntary return incentives. Partially implements EU Asylum Procedures Regulation early. Council of State issued mixed constitutional opinion.
Nuclear Extension Act — Doel 4 & Tihange 3 (20-Year Extension)
Both plants operational through 2045. Investment agreement signed December 2023. New contracts for difference mechanism under EU State Aid review. Grid integration investments ongoing.
Belgian Labour Market Reform Package (Arizona Programme)
Work bonus expansion, right to disconnect strengthened, platform workers reclassification, flexi-job reform. Union confederation FGTB mounting challenge. Passed lower house; Senate amendments pending.
7th Belgian State Reform — Special Powers Request
Request for special powers to transfer competencies (employment, health fragments, family allowances) to regions. Flanders vs Wallonia fiscal asymmetry central. Constitutional Court involvement expected.
Belgium EU Council Presidency 2024 — Follow-up Obligations
Key dossiers advanced: AI Act trilogues, Migration Pact, Ukraine support packages, Enlargement. Belgium must now implement commitments as regular member state. Several dossiers remain in implementation phase.
Pension Reform Act — Minimum Pension & Career Conditions
Minimum pension €1,700/month by 2030. 45-year career for full pension. Heavy career professions review. Budgetary cost estimated €2.8B/year by 2030. PDOS actuarial report contested.
Latest Updates
Belgium Q1 Budget Adjustment — €680M in Additional Spending Cuts Approved
Council of Ministers approved supplementary budget adjustment to meet EU fiscal surveillance Q1 milestone. Social spending (healthcare, disability benefits) carries bulk of cuts.
Belgian Migration Code — First Reading Passed 77–73
Narrow passage signals coalition fragility. Two MR MPs voted against; Vooruit threatened abstention. Council of State advisory opinion questioned 3 ECHR-compatibility articles.
Belgian Pension Reform Draft Law — Council of State Review
Draft pension reform sent to Council of State for constitutionality review. Controversial heavy career provisions may require constitutional revision. Coalition unity uncertain if provisions struck.