Chamber gives federal government vote of confidence after marathon budget debate
The Chamber has on Friday afternoon given the De Wever government a vote of confidence. This was done by the majority against the opposition, with 77 votes in favour and 57 against. The vote was preceded by almost 20 hours of debate on the government policy statement.
The government’s budget agreement involves an effort of 9.2 billion euros by 2029. An important measure in this regard is the introduction of a “cent index”, whereby wage indexation will be limited to a ceiling of 4,000 euros gross in 2026 and 2028, and the indexation of pensions up to 2,000 euros. Other measures include the activation of the long-term sick, a number of VAT increases and an increase in excise duties on natural gas.
These were the measures that attracted the most attention during the long budget debate. In their interventions, the various parties each emphasised their own points, but the opposition was unanimous in its criticism of the efforts required of the middle class.
In his reply after the debate, prime minister Bart De Wever stated that further efforts will be needed after this legislative period to achieve a sustainable budget, but that the federal government has succeeded in stabilising the deficit. “The rot has been stopped,” he emphasised.
“The rot has been stopped"
De Wever denied that the tax burden is increasing. After this budget exercise, government revenues would fall by 0.5 per cent of GDP, or 3.5 billion euros, while expenditure would fall by more than 1 per cent. Compared to unchanged policy, there would be a 1.7 per cent reduction in expenditure, or 12 billion euros, according to the prime minister. “How is this government restructuring? By significantly reducing expenditure and lowering taxes across the board. Those are the figures. That is the truth,” he said.
The Chamber gives the federal government a vote of confidence © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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