MR leader Bouchez calls for spending cuts as Belgium faces budget pressure

Georges-Louis Bouchez has urged Belgium to cut public spending and lower taxes, as political tensions rise ahead of new budget talks.

The leader of the liberal MR party said the country must act to bring its finances back on track. Writing on social media, he called on coalition partners to move past “ideological blockages” and focus on reforms.

His comments come days after Moody’s downgraded Belgium’s credit rating, raising concerns about higher borrowing costs and growing public debt. Prime minister Bart De Wever is expected to push for further budget cuts worth billions of euros.

Bouchez argues Belgium has been inefficiently run for decades and needs deep structural reform. He proposed reducing the number of politicians, scrapping institutions such as the Senate, and cutting spending on public services he sees as duplicated or underused.

He also insisted that temporary support to ease high energy prices could still be justified, but said lower taxes are key to boosting economic growth. Bouchez rejected calls for new taxes, warning they would harm Belgium’s competitiveness.

The remarks highlight divisions within the ruling coalition. While De Wever is focused on cutting the deficit, Bouchez opposes tax rises and instead backs reducing the overall tax burden.

Sammy Mahdi, leader of the CD&V party, played down Bouchez’s intervention. He said progress on the budget is possible if all parties are willing to reconsider their positions, including cutting subsidies and encouraging more people back into work.

Belgium faces mounting financial pressure. The budget deficit could rise sharply in the coming years. Debt levels and interest payments also continue to increase. Weak economic growth and global uncertainty are adding to the challenge.

New budget negotiations are expected before the summer, but ongoing disagreements raise doubts about whether the coalition can reach a deal.

^{© BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS}