Belgian government still seeking billions for budget
Prime Minister Bart De Wever continues the negotiations, but no breakthrough has yet been reported.
There is news on this story (Monday, 2 November 2026, 11:47): King keeps De Wever’s resignation under consideration for now
Listen to this article
There is no audio version yet. Request one and an AI voice will read the article aloud.
Read by an AI voice.
.jpg){kind=link}
The Belgian government is still seeking a budget package worth around €10 billion. Prime Minister Bart De Wever and his coalition partners will continue negotiating on Sunday; according to Belgian reports, there has been no breakthrough yet.
The budget negotiations revolve around an effort of around €10 billion. That amount consists of measures to put the public finances in order, but the package’s precise composition has not yet been finalised. As a result, it is also not yet clear which groups, companies or public services will bear the cost.
De Wever’s coalition consists of several parties with different priorities. Vooruit is calling for a fairer distribution, with the strongest shoulders carrying a larger share, according to reports. From a perspective that puts budgetary discipline first, the emphasis is on reducing the deficit quickly.
The negotiators are currently discussing adjustments to the budget table. No agreement had yet been reported around the core cabinet on Sunday. The government is trying to have a budget ready in time, but the outcome of the negotiations has not yet been determined.
If the budget is not approved on time, Belgium may fall back on provisional twelfths. The federal government would then temporarily operate each month with one twelfth of the previous budget. This prevents an immediate standstill, but limits new policy choices and can delay investment or reforms.
The issue is relevant to the Netherlands because Belgium is a neighbouring country and an important trading partner. Budgetary measures may affect Belgian consumers, companies and border regions. However, as long as there is no agreement, it is not possible to establish which specific burdens or savings will be introduced.
The political divide is therefore not only about the size of the consolidation, but also about how it is distributed. De Wever has said he does not want to accept provisional twelfths, while Vooruit leader Conner Rousseau calls that scenario less dramatic than what he considers an unfair agreement. That difference remains part of the negotiations.
Also show where in Europe and in the world
Both sides of the figures
▲ Bright spots
- An agreement could improve Belgian budget planning and confidence in the public finances, but there is still no agreement or figure for the final deficit.
- Provisional twelfths prevent an immediate budgetary standstill because the government can temporarily operate on the basis of the previous budget.
▼ Concerns
- The government is seeking around €10 billion in measures; the distribution across households, companies and government is not yet known.
- Provisional twelfths limit new policy spending and may delay investment or reforms.
Critical note
The €10 billion figure is a negotiating target, not a final package of savings or taxes. A full breakdown of the measures and an estimate of the effects on economic growth and per capita are not yet known.
Who notices what
- Households
- It is not yet known which taxes, benefits or public services will change.
- Businesses
- Companies do not yet know whether they will face higher burdens, fewer subsidies or changes to public investment.
- Government
- Under provisional twelfths, room for new policy remains limited until a budget is approved.
- Investors
- Uncertainty over Belgium’s budgetary direction may affect confidence, but the scale of that effect is not yet known.
Every point comes from the article’s sources and was included in the fact check.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The federal government is negotiating a budgetary effort of around €10 billion.
- No agreement had been reported as of 1 November.
- If there is a delay, Belgium can operate with provisional twelfths.
- Coalition parties disagree over how the effort should be distributed.
Left
Arguments Consolidation should primarily be borne by wealthy households and profitable companies, so that public services and lower incomes are protected.
Values Distribution according to ability to pay, social protection and public investment.
Consequences A slower agreement can be accepted if the package limits inequality; higher burdens for those with the broadest shoulders may, according to this approach, be fairer.
Centre
Arguments The government must reach a workable multi-year compromise that reduces the deficit without abruptly slowing the economy. Provisional twelfths are a temporary emergency solution, not structural policy.
Values Budgetary discipline, administrative continuity and feasibility.
Consequences A phased package can provide political stability, but may postpone difficult choices.
Right
Arguments The government must make savings quickly and credibly, because delay can increase the debt burden and future interest payments. New taxes should remain limited to keep work and enterprise attractive.
Values Financial responsibility, economic incentives and a smaller government.
Consequences Rapid savings can strengthen confidence in the public finances, but may put pressure on public services and purchasing power.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The current political situation and the amount of around €10 billion have been confirmed by Belgian sources. The article clearly distinguishes between announced negotiations and measures that have not yet been determined.
- confirmed The Belgian government is seeking around €10 billion in budgetary measures. — HLN reports that the government is still seeking €10 billion. source
- confirmed No breakthrough had been reported on Sunday. — HLN reports that there had been no breakthroughs around the core cabinet. source
- confirmed Belgium can operate with provisional twelfths if no budget is agreed. — Belgian reports describe this temporary budgetary mechanism. source
Editor's note
It is established that the negotiations will continue on Sunday, that around €10 billion is being sought and that provisional twelfths are looming. The content of the final package and the feasibility of an agreement remain uncertain.Sources
The story so far
- Sunday, 1 November 2026, 11:46 Belgian government still seeking billions for budget (this article)
- Monday, 2 November 2026, 11:47 King keeps De Wever’s resignation under consideration for now
More on this in Dutch media
- NOS — „belgië begroting”
- Het Parool — „belgië begroting”
- Trouw — „belgië begroting”