Belgium’s Prime Minister warns of the seriousness of the budgetary situation. The government has not reached an agreement on the 2027 budget

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever warned of the seriousness of the budgetary situation after the government coalition failed to reach an agreement on the 2027 budget, postponing its presentation to Parliament, scheduled for Tuesday, 13 October.

The government is seeking to reduce the budget deficit, which exceeds 5% of GDP, through an effort of approximately 10 billion euros by 2029. The plan includes cuts to public spending, including in healthcare, and a possible increase in VAT, a measure opposed by the French-speaking liberal party Reformist Movement. The negotiations are taking place against the backdrop of trade union protests against the austerity measures, while De Wever maintains that Belgium must send a clear signal regarding the sustainable recovery of public finances.