King Philippe calls for support for unemployed after benefit changes
The King addressed the country’s "established bodies", the highest authorities in Belgium, at the Royal Palace in Brussels on Wednesday during his New Year’s address. Among the issues he raised was the recent limitation of unemployment benefits, a federal measure that came into force at the start of the year.
The King urged “active support” for those who lose their benefits, calling on “all competent authorities” to take responsibility. These bodies must “listen to them and enable them to develop their talents to find their place in the labour market”. “We must do everything we can to help them get back to work and thus prevent them from falling into poverty.”
The monarch also addressed the issue of prison overcrowding, underscoring that “human dignity and the protection to which citizens are entitled do not stop at the prison gate”. While acknowledging that the federal government was working on solutions, he noted that no agreement had yet been reached. “I know the government is aware of this. I therefore call on the political and judicial authorities to vigorously address the problem of overcrowding in our prisons,” the King said.
Finally, King Philippe returned to the stalled formation of a regional government in Brussels, a concern he had already raised in his Christmas speech.
“Unfortunately, I feel compelled to return to the situation in Brussels, where the formation of a government has stalled due to irresponsible logic. I am concerned about the serious consequences of this impasse for the region, its residents and our institutions.”
King Philippe delivers a speech at a New Year's reception at the Royal Palace in Brussels, 28 January 2026 ©BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE
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