The outgoing Federal Government led by Alexander De Croo (Flemish liberal) has reached agreement on an emergency budget. As the outgoing government has limited powers awaiting the formation of a new federal coalition government, the budget is made up of so-called “provisional twelfths”. A provisional twelfth is previous budget increased by the rate of inflation and divided by twelve. Each month until a new Federal Government is formed 1 provisional twelfth will be spent. Once in office the new coalition government will draft a budget of its own.
Although agreement was reached on the “provisional twelfths”, the Federal Inner Cabinet failed to reach agreement on an increase of 2.5% in funding for the State Health and Invalidity Insurance Service (RIZIV). The outgoing Federal Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke had wanted the outgoing Federal Government to approve this.
However, the Flemish and Francophone liberals say that this is a decision that should be taken by the new Federal Government once it takes office.
“Several weeks of work”
The Federal Secretary of State responsible for the budget Alexia Bertrand told VRT News that “It took several weeks to get everything ready we need to put it before parliament as soon as possible”.
Ms Bertrand added that the provisional twelfths will not hinder the drafting of a budget by the new coalition when it takes office.