Opposition party N-VA responds disapprovingly. Parliamentary party leader Peter De Roover maintains that the reform not budget neutral is. “That is the claim that debunked Mrs De Bleeker (former Secretary of State for the Budget, ed.), ” he says. “The 2023 budget should be adjusted as predicted.”
But the budget deficit will be smaller, he admits. “The budget effect has been somewhat mitigated, but that is being converted into a bill increase.”
Secretary of State for the Budget Alexia Bertrand (Open VLD) sounds less negative. “The new calculations, following the current fall in energy prices, ensure that the permanent VAT reduction to 6 percent, coupled with the excise reform, no negative budgetary impact she says. “This is a first step in the right direction for the budget.”
