Flanders' Balanced Budget Bolsters De Wever's Federal Negotiating Position

Flanders has closed its budget without a deficit, a move N-VA leader and federal negotiator Bart De Wever can leverage in federal budget talks. Political scientist Carl Devos notes De Wever can pressure French-speaking parties to match Flanders' fiscal discipline. This strengthens N-VA's hand in coalition negotiations, potentially shaping Belgium's federal fiscal policy.