Belgium Welcomes New Prime Minister Focused on Regional Autonomy
Bart De Wever takes office, aiming for a balanced approach in Belgium’s politics
Belgium, Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels, Bart De Wever, N-VA
De Wever took his oath early Monday. He looked directly at King Philippe during the ceremony. This shows a shift in his attitude toward the monarchy. He once viewed it as a symbol of old Belgian unity.
He swore allegiance to the king, marking a new chapter. The ceremony included ministers from both language groups. They took their oaths in Dutch and French, reflecting Belgium’s diversity.
De Wever believes in participating in government. He thinks it’s better to be involved than to wait for change. He wants to secure benefits for his community through active participation.
Language has been a key issue in Belgium for years. The political landscape has changed as Flanders has grown economically. Meanwhile, Wallonia’s industrial strength has declined.
De Wever leads the N-VA party, succeeding Alexander De Croo. De Croo has been a caretaker since last June. De Wever will soon join EU leaders in Brussels for a summit.
His government plans to tackle the budget and social policies. They aim to implement strict migration rules and invest in safety. The N-VA has outlined these goals in a statement.
However, gender balance is a concern. De Wever’s team has only three women out of 15 members. This is a drop from De Croo’s near parity. He has expressed regret but did not prioritize it in talks.
De Wever formed a coalition after a long negotiation period. His success came after the PS socialists lost power in Wallonia. This allowed him to partner with the free-market MR party.
The coalition includes the Vooruit socialists, MR liberals, and others. Together, they control 81 of 150 seats in the House. This gives them a comfortable majority.
The lengthy talks show the challenges of uniting different parties. Bridging their gaps will be crucial for the new government’s success.