As the world buckles up for Trump 2.0, Belgium is floundering in an interminable formation process that has now deprived the country of a functioning government for 221 days. The process has been so drawn out that it's hard to be surprised any more by the dithering and general lack of urgency.
Global affairs aside, one would have thought there is enough that needs attention within the country to catalyse an agreement between the five parties that will form the next government. Not so, as the leaders seem open to any opportunity that will excuse them from the boring business of forming a Federal Government.
As well as some downtime for the festive season, Belgium's political groups like to start the year with a rousing knees-up, a chance to muster members and build morale for a 2025 laden with challenges. Whilst most conventional companies make do with an end-of-year celebration, the political parties push the boat out with a day of speeches, catering service, drinks and often dancing. What's not to like?
Except that these events provide yet another premise to put off the formation talks. Even worse, at a time when the five negotiating parties are most sensitive about their differences, the New Year's receptions have seen leaders please their followers with announcements that seem almost calculated to wind up their coalition partners.
Such was the case with Bart De Wever – probably Belgium's next prime minister – who at his party's boozy bash last weekend told supporters he would push for Flemish autonomy when he takes the premiership. He might have been cheered by his Flemish nationalist acolytes but his separatist sympathies went down like a lead balloon with the Walloon parties he is trying to win over.
All of which saps energy from the near-existential formation talks. De Croo's caretaker government yesterday moved to approve another emergency budget, without which Belgium's public services risk grinding to a halt with no formalised budget to keep the country running.
The public has been primed to expect a new government by the end of the month, when De Wever hopes to tell King Philippe he's got a deal. This weekend, the talks should tackle the critical matters of economic and state reforms (making time of course for the CD&V party to have its New Year reception).
Sources have called it the "final leg of the negotiations". But our patience has been tested.
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4. Art Brussels returns to the Belgian capital in April
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5. The far-right rises as press freedom falters: How 2024 shaped Belgium
Never before has Belgium seen so many attacks on freedom of the press as in 2024, particularly by public actors. Read more.
6. Belgium sees rise in young people involved in terrorism
Belgian intelligence and security services are seeing more and more minors appear in their files. The youngest person, arrested in 2024, was barely 13. Read more.
7. What to do in Brussels this weekend: 17 – 19 January
From award-winning circus and a festival dedicated to Brahms to some good old-fashioned comedy stand-up, here's what's on in Brussels this weekend. Read more.
