Later today, the De Croo government will present its plans in detail, but some cases have already leaked in recent hours. We list them here.
–
The new federal government will invest 3.3 billion euros in new policy in the coming legislature. Of this, 2.3 billion euros has been programmed for new social policy and 1 billion euros for Security, Justice and Defense. There is also talk of 1 billion euros for new investments. These mainly go to the digitization of the government, especially at Justice and Security, and to the railways. But what can we expect in terms of content?
Pensions
The new government is allocating more than 2 billion euros for this, but by the end of the legislature – in 2024 – the minimum pensions should have been raised to 1,500 euros per month. Whether that is gross or net remains to be determined, as well as the exact conditions for receiving such a pension. This increase was an important item on the agenda of many parties in the run-up to the elections.
The pension bonus would also be reintroduced.
Incidentally, the increase in benefits must also be paid from the same 2 billion pot.
healthcare
Within the healthcare sector, a growth standard of 2.5 percent is maintained, which can mainly be used to reduce the bill for the patient. In addition, 1.2 billion euros will go to investments in mental health care. That money serves for better working conditions, better pay and extra hands in care. There are 4,500 extra jobs.
Safety and justice
The new government is also making a spearhead of Security and Justice. The coalition agreement also provides for the application of summary justice for ‘minor’ crimes such as rioting, shoplifting and street crime to prevent recidivism. The ambition is also to recruit 1,600 extra police officers per year, with an emphasis on community police officers. There will be absolute zero tolerance for violence against police officers.
Work is also being done on 350 million euros in extra investments for the Ministry of Justice. The focus is mainly on personnel, computerization and infrastructure.
A unified Brussels police zone will not be created immediately, but in case of major disasters the zones can be merged.
Ethics files
“The parties that are part of the government are committed to reaching a consensus on ethical matters, with mutual respect for each other’s positions, before taking legislative initiatives on these matters,” the coalition agreement says.
State reform
A major exercise is planned on the future of Belgium, as stated in the coalition agreement. In addition, there will also be a series of measures on political innovation. For example, there will now be voting rights from 16 years before the European elections and there will be a deadline for government negotiations to avoid marathon formations like this one in the future. What that deadline will be has yet to be determined.
climate
The broad outlines of the agreement on the nuclear exit became known earlier. Reference is also made to investments in Climate and Energy. For example, a system of deposits on plastic bottles is being developed. “In implementation of the European directive on the reduction of the effects of certain plastic products on the environment and in consultation with the federal states, the government offers the possibility to incorporate a deposit scheme in the packaging levy this legislature,” it reads.
The plan is also to ensure that all company cars are emission-free by 2026.
Taxes
“People don’t have to worry about new taxes,” Egbert Lachaert said on Wednesday morning. “They will be very minimal.” The other parties also summarize it as follows: “There will be no new taxes for the common man.”
The new government also wants to work on fair taxation with a digital tax for large internet companies and a reform of the benefits for sportsmen. Family taxation will also be eased, with cheaper childcare and an extra reward for informal carers.
Asylum and Migration
The new team wants to work on “a humane and correct migration policy that puts an end to the imprisonment of children”. They want to tackle return policy more efficiently, just like transmigration.
And also…
* An increase in the minimum pension is also foreseen for the self-employed, just like other support measures. For example, the measure in which they do not have to pay a social contribution for the first recruitment will be maintained, they will receive an administrative simplification and the 1996 Wages Act, which must guarantee the competitive strength of companies, will not be affected.
* It will be easier to combine benefits with work.
* The De Croo government is working on a transformation fund.
* There will be a driver’s license with points for repeated serious traffic offenses.
* The maternity leave is extended from 10 to 20 days.
* Employees who train their employees can enjoy a tax benefit.
* Those who are dismissed will be encouraged to use the severance payment to follow additional training courses to become active again in the labor market.
Alexander De Croo is Prime Minister of Vivaldi government
– .
