Through its predecessors Crédit communal and Dexia, Belfius has been the main bank in the Walloon Region for more than thirty years. But during the last negotiations with Walloon Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo (PS) and Budget Minister Adrien Dolimont (MR), Belfius decided to toughen up the tone and only plans to extend the next contract for a maximum of two years, i.e. until the next regional elections in 2024. And this is no coincidence.
“This allows the bank to assess how the next government can eliminate the growing debt ratio in the region,” said a source familiar with the negotiations. “It also arms Belfius against a possible participation of the PTB in this new government. »
Wallonia is heading towards a public debt of 50 billion euros by 2030. The state bank is at considerable financial risk because it has granted many loans to the Walloon Region, says a source. Invited to react, Belfius said for its part that the conditions linked to any extension of the cashier contract were under study.