Federal budget talks stall as coalition partners remain far apart on tax cuts
Vice-Prime Minister David Clarinval said the coalition’s positions on the revised budget remain widely divergent, especially over anti-competitive taxes.
Coalition leaders gathered after 19:00 to review the prime minister’s new budget proposal, issued on Tuesday morning after a Sunday kern. The earlier draft had left several partners dissatisfied, prompting a fresh note that still does not achieve unanimity. MR’s David Clarinval highlighted that the parties remain “very far apart,” particularly regarding the volume of anti-competitive taxes, which he said must be reduced.
Les Engagés confirmed modest advances but stressed the document remains unsatisfactory, and similar reservations were voiced by centrist allies and Vooruit. A source indicated that De Wever’s team is working toward an agreement, while another kern is scheduled for Wednesday to test whether final negotiations can succeed.
Why it matters
The stalled budget talks could delay fiscal reforms and affect Belgium’s economic outlook.
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