On Saturday, Ecolo deemed the Easter budget agreement reached by the federal government on Friday “unacceptable.”
The Green party criticised the agreement for confirming an austerity trajectory without any rebalancing, despite significant worker mobilisation.
They condemned the unprecedented military expenditure launched without framework, transparency, or democratic debate, describing it as a “concerning turn.”
Accusing the government of giving “a blank cheque to war industries financed by taking money from citizens,” Ecolo highlighted the government’s commitment to reach 2% of GDP for Defence this year.
Related News
- Vlaams Belang denounces Easter agreement 'smokescreen'
- Agreement "far from an Easter present" according to the PS
- Francken: 'Biggest investment in defence' in 40 years
Key concerns included a reduction of €586 million in welfare funds and €50 million in the SNCB (Belgian National Railway Company) budget. Ecolo argued that the government remains deaf to social, climatic, and democratic urgencies, lacks a coherent European investment and defence strategy, and squanders public money on ad-hoc military spending.
They also criticised the insufficient refinancing of the Justice sector.
Ecolo urged for “an alternative approach” with a budget that meets citizens’ concrete needs. Summarising the situation, co-chair Marie Lecocq stated, “With these Easter agreements, the government is truly taking Belgians for fools.”
