Elections 2024: Core cabinet to meet over provisional budget

Outgoing prime minister Alexander De Croo will convene his core cabinet on Monday evening to discuss a provisional budget for the first quarter of 2025. With no new federal government in place and no approved budget, the current administration, working alongside formateur Bart De Wever, is preparing a temporary budget using the “provisional twelfths” method. 

The provisional twelfths system sets monthly expenditure at 1/12th of the previous year’s budget, adjusted for inflation. This will ensure that essential services, including civil servant salaries, continue without disruption until a full budget is approved. It is a temporary measure: De Croo’s office confirmed that the interim budget will be revoked once a new government forms and approves a 2025 budget.

Negotiations to form a new federal government remain ongoing, with the five main parties - right-wing N-VA, Christian democratic CD&V, socialist Vooruit, liberal MR, and Les Engagés - still aiming to reach a budget agreement by the end of the year. However, despite recent progress, particularly after Vooruit’s reentering the talks, no guarantees have been given for a timely deal.

The stakes are high, as failing to finalise a 2025 budget would delay crucial fiscal reforms. If the new government is not in place by 29 November, the outgoing administration will proceed with the provisional budget, which will be subject to parliamentary approval before 19 December, when the last plenary meeting of the Chamber is scheduled.

^{Outgoing prime minister Alexander De Croo © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK}