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Belgium's Budget Deal Sparks Nationwide Strike and Tax Hikes

11/25/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Belgium's coalition government reached a budget deal on November 24, 2025, to address a €9.2 billion budget gap by 2029.
Prime Minister Bart De Wever announced the agreement after extensive negotiations, preventing government collapse.
The plan includes tax hikes on natural gas, airline tickets, and online purchases from non-EU retailers, while avoiding a general VAT increase.
A three-day nationwide strike began, impacting public transport and services, as trade unions criticized the budget for burdening workers and the ill.
The government aims to reintegrate 100,000 long-term sick individuals into the workforce.

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Story summary

Belgium's coalition government reached a budget deal on November 24, 2025, to address a €9.2 billion budget gap by 2029.
Prime Minister Bart De Wever announced the agreement after extensive negotiations, preventing government collapse.
The plan includes tax hikes on natural gas, airline tickets, and online purchases from non-EU retailers, while avoiding a general VAT increase.
A three-day nationwide strike began, impacting public transport and services, as trade unions criticized the budget for burdening workers and the ill.
The government aims to reintegrate 100,000 long-term sick individuals into the workforce.