The Brussels Parliament has resolved to reduce its operational budget by 10% and cut MPs’ allowances by 5% by the end of the legislative session, a decision approved on Wednesday by a coalition including MR, Les Engagés, Groen, Open VLD, and N-VA.
This 5% reduction aligns parliamentary allowances with those in the federal chamber. Additional spending cuts were also approved, such as a temporary freeze on contributions to the parliamentary pension fund and adjustments to staff pay scales for new contracts, all while honouring social dialogue. From now on, exit allowances will be paid for only one year instead of two.
Parties PS, PVDA-PTB, and Ecolo opposed these measures, arguing that they adversely affect not only MPs but also parliamentary staff. According to PS, the parliament’s clerk noted during the meeting that 30 to 40 jobs could potentially be lost.
The five parties supporting the cuts describe this as “modernising the institution’s operations” while significantly contributing to the region’s budgetary efforts. They regard the agreement as unprecedented, uniting various political factions towards the shared goal of ensuring “a frugal, efficient, and transparent administration.”
Groen MP Lotte Stoops expressed satisfaction with the agreement, stating it sends a clear signal that politicians must also make sacrifices during challenging budget times. Mathias Vanden Borre (N-VA) remarked that, after a year of stagnation caused by political games and lack of cooperation, the five parties are now willing to progress and make necessary budget cuts. Martine Raets of Open VLD praised the collaborative effort, noting that the parties found common ground to tackle the essential budget reduction exercise the Brussels Parliament needed to undertake.
