Overview
- Bart De Wever told parliament he asked King Philippe for 50 days to secure a budget, warning there will be no extension beyond Christmas.
- The five-party coalition remains stuck over how to repair the public finances, with the MR party rejecting a VAT increase and a pause to automatic wage indexation.
- De Wever is pushing measures reported to include labour-market liberalisation, curbs on long-term unemployment benefits and lower pension costs by 2030.
- Belgium’s deficit is projected at about 4.5% of GDP this year with debt around 104.7% of GDP, according to the central bank.
- Recent drone sightings that shut several airports prompted an emergency meeting, and ministers said Belgium will enhance airspace surveillance; De Wever is also seeking guarantees before backing an EU loan to Ukraine tied to frozen Russian assets held largely at Euroclear.