After intense debate, Flemish Parliament backs September Declaration
After nearly eight hours of debate, the Flemish Parliament approved the Diependaele government’s September Declaration and 2026 budget on Wednesday evening. The vote was by a majority (N-VA, Vooruit, CD&V) against the opposition (Vlaams Belang, Open VLD, Groen, PVDA, Team Fouad Ahidar, and independent Maurits Vande Reyde).
The Flemish government’s September Declaration, presented this week in Parliament, triggered criticism from opposition parties. The budget agreement foresees cuts across multiple domains, including welfare, elderly care, education and cultural institutions. While the government insists the measures are necessary and manageable, opponents warn of higher costs for families and damage to essential services.
Welfare cuts under scrutiny
Minister of welfare Caroline Gennez (Vooruit) came under fire over 90 million euros in savings within her domain, including more than 30 million euros in elderly care and 30 million euros in family care. Critics warned the measures would push up nursing home bills, citing sector group Zorgnet-Icuro’s estimate of an extra 30 euros per resident each month.
Gennez rejected that claim, saying, “That’s not automatic. And you can be sure that we will monitor this strictly because affordable healthcare is a right.” She stressed that the total welfare budget will rise from 17.8 billion euros to 18.3 billion euros next year, exceeding 19 billion euros by 2029. “Not a single euro will be saved on childcare, for people with disabilities or on youth care,” she said.
Opposition attacks on broken promises
Independent MP Maurits Vande Reyde accused the government of unreliability after a planned inheritance tax cut was dropped. “Minister Weyts, you promised 6 million Flemish people that you would do something about inheritance tax. Just two months ago, you said it would take effect on 1 January. Now you’re retracting those promises. Do you still consider yourself trustworthy enough to continue if you break such a fundamental promise?”
Open VLD group leader Egbert Lachaert warned the middle class would bear the brunt of new measures, pointing to the 100 euro flat-rate tax that replaces the healthcare premium. “Have you just bought a house as a young family and stretched your budget to the limit? Well, then the Flemish government is now throwing a hefty bill at you.” He estimated some “young working families” would lose up to 10,000 euros next year.
Cuts felt in Brussels and beyond
Brussels minister Sven Gatz (Open VLD) pointed to the reductions of 3.6 million euros for childcare, 1.5 million euros for after-school care, 18 million euros for higher education and cuts for non-profits and media, including Bruzz and the Huis van het Nederlands. Groen called the measures “a slap in the face for every parent and student in Brussels.”
Gennez also announced that the IJzertoren peace monument in Diksmuide will see its annual subsidy halved, from about 400,000 euros to 200,000 euros, despite a decree requiring funding for its upkeep.
#FlandersNewsService |Flemish minister for brussels and media Cieltje Van Achter, Flemish minister for mobility and public works Annick De Ridder, Flemish minister for agriculture and environment Jo Brouns, Flemish minister for welfare and culture Caroline Gennez, Flemish minister for education and work Zuhal Demir, Flemish minister for finance and budget Ben Weyts, Flemish minister for domestic governance and integration Hilde Crevits, Flemish minister for housing and energy Melissa Depraetere and Flemish minister-president Matthias Diependaele are seen during a plenary session of the Flemish Parliament to debate the 'Septemberverklaring' (September Declaration), Wednesday 24 September 2025, in Brussels.
©BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS
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