Belgium straddles EU budget camps as frugal states push back on Commission proposal

Belgium has not formally joined either the 17 'friends of cohesion' states or the six 'frugal' net contributors led by Germany's Merz, but PM De Wever has aligned with critics of the Commission's budget proposal as too expensive. The split highlights intra-EU friction over the next Multiannual Financial Framework, with Belgium's position potentially pivotal. Uncertainty remains over whether Belgium will formally side with the frugal bloc or seek a compromise.