Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever on Thursday dismissed opposition criticism of the proposed capital gains tax, denying that it only targets the middle class.
The measure, agreed upon on Monday within the inner cabinet, sparked debates in committee on Tuesday, then resurfaced at a plenary session on Thursday.
Opposition parties wasted no time voicing their opposition to the measure.
Left-leaning politicians criticised the tax for not touching the wealthiest 1%. Dieter Vanbesien (Ecolo-Groen) accused the government of deceiving Belgians. “Your tax completely misses its target,” he said. Ludivine Dedonder (PS) echoed this sentiment, while Sofie Merckx (Belgian Workers' Party, PTB) described the tax as merely a symbol to justify the government’s broader anti-social measures.
On the right, Alexia Bertrand (Open Vld) expressed disappointment over the emergence of a tax her party claims to have blocked for 25 years. François De Smet (DéFI) argued: “You are not taxing the rich; you are taxing those who are trying to become rich.”
Discussing the agreement publicly for the first time, De Wever countered the criticisms. He contended that it was an exaggeration to say the tax affects only the middle class, highlighting various exemptions for capital gains from retirement, pension savings, and group insurance.
The Prime Minister stressed that the expected revenue, estimated at €250 million by 2026 and €500 million by 2030, would be used in part to “reduce labour costs, especially for low and middle incomes.”
The draft legislation is set for approval at first reading by the Council of Ministers on Friday.
