Brussels – The Belgian federal government’s deputy prime ministers reconvened on Friday in an attempt to finalize an agreement on the Defence budget for the remainder of 2025.
The goal is to reach consensus by Easter and secure parliamentary approval by the second half of May. However, negotiations remain fraught with challenges, particularly regarding how to finance the increase in military expenditure.
Amid growing geopolitical tensions, the Arizona Coalition has pushed for Belgium to meet NATO’s Defence spending target of 2% of GDP by the summer of 2025, four years ahead of the original 2029 deadline.
Achieving this accelerated timeline would require an additional €4 billion in funding, a figure that has prompted intense debate among coalition partners.
The government’s core cabinet, known as the ‘kern,’ has met multiple times to discuss the matter, but no definitive agreement has been reached.
While all coalition parties recognize the necessity of increased Defence spending, the question of how to fund the budgetary expansion remains a divisive issue.
A breakthrough appeared possible on Thursday when legislator Axel Weydts of Vooruit publicly announced on VRT that his party fully supports the 2% GDP target.
However, discussions remain deadlocked over the funding mechanism. Some proposals under consideration include the establishment of a Defence Fund supported by dividends and the sale of state assets.
Budget Minister Vincent Van Peteghem has projected that more than €17 billion will be needed in the coming years to sustain Belgium’s Defence commitments.
His estimation underscores the complexity of the financial burden and the difficulty in securing long-term solutions.
Vooruit has advocated for increasing contributions from the country’s wealthiest individuals, firmly opposing any reductions in social security and healthcare budgets.
This position is echoed by the Christen Democratisch en Vlaams (CD&V) party and Les Engagés, both of which have resisted cuts to social spending in favor of other revenue-generating mechanisms.
Conversely, the liberal Mouvement Réformateur (MR) remains wary of additional taxation, expressing concern over the economic impact of new levies on high-income earners.
Instead, MR has suggested that reductions in other government expenditures, such as development cooperation, could help offset the Defence budget increase.
Beyond Defence, other budgetary demands are also weighing on negotiations. Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden (CD&V) has requested an additional €141 million for her department, further complicating the overall fiscal equation.
With multiple ministries seeking additional funds and coalition partners struggling to find common ground, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining Belgium’s financial and strategic trajectory.
As the Easter deadline approaches, pressure is mounting on the core cabinet to resolve their differences and present a coherent financial plan.
Whether a compromise can be reached remains to be seen, but the urgency of the situation leaves little room for prolonged political gridlock.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
