Walloon budget sparks criticism over new car tax, delayed benefits and limited job bonus

During a press conference, the Walloon government presented its 2027 budget, which opposition parties describe as a smoke screen for rising costs. The Socialist Party points out that a new automobile sticker tax of €90-€125 per year will hit owners of older cars, while energy prices and other household expenses will increase without any relief until 2028. The PTB echoes these concerns and flags a future "autonomy guarantee" tax slated for 2030.

Ecologists criticize the lack of investment in climate adaptation and biodiversity measures, saying the budget cuts outweigh any announced environmental funding. The FGTB warns that the budget’s savings will be achieved by cutting public sector jobs and reducing local tax revenues, and it calls the job bonus, limited to a maximum of €500 and delayed until 2028, insufficient. Business groups such as Agoria and AKT, however, welcome the preservation of growth incentives, the continuation of the motor-force tax exemption and the allocation of €20 million for AI adoption.