Belgian government wins confidence vote

ATHENS

The new Belgian coalition government won a confidence vote on Friday, paving the way for a functioning government after months of political deadlock.

After a marathon parliamentary debate that lasted two days and almost two full nights, the Chamber of Representatives gave its vote of confidence to the coalition agreement by a margin of 81 to 66.

The vote of confidence was set to take place on Thursday afternoon, but was delayed due to the heated and lengthy debate, according to state-run Belga news agency.

Opposition politicians questioned the government’s reform agenda, which includes plans to change pensions, social security and health care to tackle the country’s budget deficit.

Belgium is one of seven EU countries facing disciplinary action for its deficit in excess of the bloc’s 3% of gross domestic product limit.

During the parliamentary debate, Prime Minister Bart De Wever of the right-wing New Flemish Alliance, also rejected accusations that his government would mistreat asylum seekers and other vulnerable groups.

After more than eight months of fraught negotiations between five political parties, it was announced that an agreement had been reached on Jan. 31, 2025.

The so-called Arizona coalition consists of the Flemish nationalist The New Flemish Alliance (NVA), the social conservative Christian Democratic and Flemish party (CD&V), the social democratic Vooruit party, the liberal Reformist Movement (MR) and the centrist Les Engages party.

De Wever, formerly the mayor of Antwerp, became the first Flemish nationalist politician to hold the office of prime minister when he was sworn in on Monday.