BRUSSELS, Feb 3 – Nearly eight months after the elections, Belgium has sworn in a new right-leaning coalition government led by the Flemish nationalist party N-VA.
The new Prime Minister Bart De Wever, leader of the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) and former mayor of Antwerp, took the oath at the Royal Palace in Brussels, reciting it in all three official languages: Dutch, French, and German. Shortly after, he posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“Now, let’s get to work!”
A Historic First for the N-VA
For the first time in Belgian history, the N-VA leads the federal government, forming a coalition with four other parties:
- Liberal MR
- Francophone centrist party Les Engagés
- Flemish Christian Democrats (CD&V)
- Social Democrats (Vooruit)
This coalition, dubbed “Arizona” due to the colors of the parties’ flags resembling the Arizona state flag, suggests that while N-VA heads the government, a sharp rightward shift is unlikely since centrist parties hold a majority within the coalition.
Key Ministerial Appointments
The N-VA secured several high-profile positions, including:
- Defense Minister: Theo Francken
- Migration Minister: Annelies Van Bossuyt
- Finance Minister: Jan Jambon (former Interior Minister)
Meanwhile, Maxime Prévot from Les Engagés has been appointed Foreign Minister. The new government comprises ten ministers and four female ministers.
N-VA’s Nationalist Agenda
The N-VA, known for its confederalist and separatist ambitions, has long advocated for greater autonomy for Flanders. While its inclusion in the government marks a political shift, the presence of centrist parties may limit drastic changes to Belgium’s migration and federal policies.
The coming months will reveal how De Wever navigates coalition politics and whether the N-VA pushes for stronger Flemish independence measures within the federal framework.