Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever announced on Wednesday that his government will operate under provisional twelfths for the second year. The decision follows his resignation offer to the King after failing to secure a multi-year budget agreement, a move that leaves the country’s fiscal planning in limbo.
The announcement came during a plenary session at the Chamber, where the Prime Minister addressed the current political stalemate. RTBF reported that De Wever utilized only three of his five allotted minutes to explain the government’s trajectory. He confirmed that the inability to reach a consensus on a multi-year budget forced his hand, necessitating a reliance on temporary monthly spending authorizations, known as provisional twelfths, for the opening months of the upcoming fiscal year.
De Wever cites rising debt service costs
De Wever pointed to recent forecasts from the National Bank and the Federal Debt Agency as primary indicators of the mounting pressure. He stated that the country is projected to pay 16 billion euros in interest on its debt this year, a figure he expects to climb to 50 billion euros within nine years.
| Financial Metric | Projection/Status |
|---|---|
| Annual interest payments (current) | 16 billion euros |
| Annual interest payments (in 9 years) | 50 billion euros |
| Projected structural budget improvement (IMF) | ~12 billion euros annually |
Political deadlock in the Arizona coalition
The Prime Minister emphasized that his resignation was a consequence of his refusal to lead a government that cannot prioritize the necessary structural reforms. “I want only to be Prime Minister of a government that makes this mission a priority,” De Wever stated. “Otherwise, it makes no sense.”
Despite the resignation, De Wever confirmed he continues to support the work completed by his administration thus far. The current political focus has shifted to the King, who has been meeting with the leaders of the parties comprising the “Arizona” coalition this week. These consultations aim to gauge the willingness of the various political factions to continue their collaboration within the current government framework.
Next steps for the Belgian executive
The situation remains fluid as the parties work through the requirements for forming a stable budget. De Wever is scheduled to return to the King this Friday for further discussions regarding the future of the administration. The outcome of these consultations will determine how the government’s structure evolves in the coming days and weeks.
