Belgian parliament delays key budget vote again amid opposition row

Belgium’s parliament has postponed a key vote on the government’s programme law for the third time in a month, after opposition parties demanded further legal review.

The delay came on Thursday when opposition groups secured enough support to send new amendments to the Council of State, halting both debate and voting. As a result, several planned measures, including changes to energy taxes on gas, heating oil and electricity, cannot yet take effect.

The programme law is central to the government’s budget plans. It includes reforms such as higher excise duties on gas and heating oil, lower duties on electricity, and adjustments to taxation and social policy. The measures were originally due to begin on 1 April but have already been pushed back.

Opposition parties strongly criticised the proposals. Socialist leader Pierre-Yves Dermagne (PS) called them “unacceptable”, warning they would harm household finances during a period of rising prices. Vlaams Belang also rejected the planned tax increases, saying they were inappropriate without additional support measures. Meanwhile, the PVDA described the law as “an attack on workers”.

The governing majority accused the opposition of abusing parliamentary rules to block reform. Some MPs argued the delay is also holding up other measures, including tax changes on investments and support for low-income workers.

The repeated postponements are now putting pressure on the government’s budget. Key reforms are now unlikely to take effect before June at the earliest.

Another attempt to pass the law is expected next week.

^{© BELGA PHOTO EMILE WINDAL}