“Today the labor, tomorrow the fruit,” De Wever mentioned in a put up on X, including that the deal and different reforms would enhance Belgium’s debt place by €32 billion.
Belgium’s deficit has reached 5.4 p.c of GDP this 12 months, whereas public debt stands at 104.7 p.c of GDP. Last week, the European Commission warned that, in case of unchanged coverage, Belgium’s deficit might attain 5.9 p.c by 2027, with solely Poland performing worse within the EU.
The authorities hiked excise duties on pure fuel, whereas sure leisure merchandise, akin to lodge stays and takeaway meals, will grow to be costlier. Taxes on flight tickets are additionally elevated, from €5 to €10.
There gained’t be a normal hike in value-added tax, nevertheless, because the Francophone liberal MR occasion resisted that measure.
Belgium additionally tweaked its wage-indexing methodology, whereby salaries improve linked to inflation, with the adjustments affecting excessive earners.
The authorities additionally dedicated to placing 100,000 people who find themselves presently on sick depart again to work. It additionally launched a €2 tax on packages from non-European webshops, akin to Chinese e-commerce platform Shein.
De Wever’s administration secured the deal at first of a three-day normal strike that affects public transport, public providers and colleges.
