After tough discussions, the federal government finally granted this Tuesday shortly before noon on the multi-annual budget 2023-2024. A decision widely commented on within the Belgian political class.
Vivaldi members showed solidarity and unanimously welcomed the terms of the agreement reached on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open VLD) welcomed the multiple support granted to families, the self-employed and businesses to “absorb the energy shock”. “We are not letting anyone go,” insisted the Premier on Twitter.
Energy Minister Tinne Van der Straeten (Groen) for her part welcomed an agreement “which attacks the enormous profits of the energy sector”. “We are going beyond what Europe asks to support our families and businesses more and longer,” the Flemish environmentalist wrote on Twitter. An opinion shared by her colleague Petra De Sutter (Groen): “The indefensible cannot be defended. Like billions in profit in times of crisis, or a housing bonus on vacation rentals. This budget agreement ends to an injustice of the system.”
The Minister of Labor and the Economy Pierre-Yves Dermagne (PS) welcomed the maintenance of aid to the population in the face of the crisis. “The energy package which reduces the gas-electricity bill for all Belgians is renewed until spring! (…) 400 euros are already planned for November and December.”
Deputy Prime Minister MR David Clarinval, for his part, focused on the aid granted to companies, in the context of rising energy prices and the expected strong indexation of wages. “We have an agreement for up to 1 billion euros for tax-free indexation,” confirmed the Minister for the Middle Classes and the Independents. A deferral and/or reduction of employer contributions has also been decided. The Liberal also recalled the maintenance until March 31 of the entire aid package for businesses and individuals to meet energy bills (gas-electricity check and fuel oil check, 6% VAT, etc. .).
Mobility Minister Georges Gilkinet (Ecolo) welcomed the planned investment in rail. “A boost of more than 3 billion euros for the train. This legislature will mark a turning point for rail transport and for our mobility”, declared the one who is also Deputy Prime Minister.
“We are protecting people’s purchasing power, with a clear path to major tax reform in the near future,” said CD&V Chairman Sammy Mahdi. “The CD&V wants to put the country back on track. The first step has been taken.”
“A self-satisfaction” of the government
In the opposition, the agreement is logically less unanimous. The leader of the Engagés group Catherine Fonck deplores the government’s “self-satisfaction” and regrets that several elements are missing from the agreement, such as the capping of energy prices, or an “ambitious” reform of employment and Taxation.
