Rudolph Angler More than seven months after the parliamentary elections, political negotiations have resulted in a coalition government led by nationalist Bart De Wever.
After lengthy discussions, De Wever, leader of the Flemish nationalist N-VA party, has secured his position as Belgium’s new prime minister.
The agreement reached on Friday makes De Wever the first nationalist from the Dutch-speaking Flanders region to lead Belgium.
De Wever’s five-party coalition includes the centrist Christian Democrats, the leftist Vooruit, the francophone centre-right Reformist Movement, and the centrist Les Engagés.
In recent years, he has toned down his push for Flemish independence, focusing instead on decentralising power from the federal government to regional entities.
On Monday, De Wever took the oath of office before King Philippe, a monarch he has frequently criticised for representing Belgian unity.
During his term, he plans to grant more power to regional authorities, allowing them greater control over job seeker policies.
He also aims to strengthen Belgium’s ten provinces by increasing their visibility in international trade and diplomacy.
However, some coalition partners oppose his regionalist stance, potentially complicating his policy agenda.
The coalition agreement reflects a rightward shift in Belgium’s political direction, prioritising spending cuts, labour market reforms, and pension system harmonisation.
Negotiations concluded after a 60-hour session, where De Wever pushed for reductions in social benefits and pension reforms despite union opposition.
After being sworn in, De Wever attended an informal EU summit, aligning his stance on immigration with other European leaders.
His policies mark a significant transformation in Belgium’s governance, reinforcing his commitment to reshaping the country’s political landscape.