Finance committee approves Flemish budget
The Finance committee of Flanders' parliament approved the region's budget for 2026 on Tuesday. Next week, the budget will be discussed for two to three days in the plenary session.
The budget, which includes savings totalling 1.5 billion euros, was presented in the September Declaration by the region's minister-president, Matthias Diependaele.
Cuts to subsidies and greater government efficiency are expected to generate savings of 350 million euros. Postponing previously planned policies should yield savings of a further 370 million euros.
A further significant portion of the savings will come from the cancellation of a number of planned reforms and measures, totalling almost 463 million euros. These range from restricting renovation subsidies to restructuring development cooperation.
In terms of revenue, the Flemish government is primarily counting on an increased healthcare premium.
Debt calculations
On Tuesday, the opposition parties in the committee reiterated their criticism of the way the government calculates debt in the budget exercise, which is no longer offset against revenue but against Flanders' Gross Regional Product (GRP).
According to Budget minister Ben Weyts, this method of calculation is common practice internationally. However, comparing debt to the GRP makes it appear lower than if it were compared to revenues.
In its analysis of the budget, the Court of Audit wrote that both the High Council of Finance and the National Bank of Belgium have already criticised the GRP as an indicator for assessing public finances.
On Tuesday, several MPs submitted a resolution "to correct crucial errors relating to debt in the Flemish budget documents", but it was voted down.
#FlandersNewsService | Flemish minister-president Matthias Diependaele during a plenary session of the Flemish Parliament, 3 December 2025 © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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