Belgium has sworn in a new prime minister, Bart De Wever, a conservative nationalist from Dutch-speaking Flanders. This marks a significant shift to the right in Belgian politics, with De Wever’s coalition pledging to crack down on irregular migration.
De Wever, 54, took the oath of office before King Philippe and immediately got to work, attending a gathering of EU leaders to discuss defense and transatlantic relations. As prime minister, De Wever has pledged to increase Belgium’s defense spending to meet NATO’s target of 2% of GDP.
De Wever’s rise to power underscores a broader right-wing trend in European politics. His party, N-VA, is part of the hard-right ECR group in the European Parliament, which also includes lawmakers from the parties of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Czech leader Petr Fiala.
De Wever’s government has already sparked controversy with its plans to toughen migration policies. The new prime minister has also emphasized the importance of preserving the EU’s relationship with the United States, despite challenges from President Donald Trump.
The shift to the right in Belgian politics is part of a wider trend across Europe, where hard-right parties have performed strongly in recent elections. As De Wever settles into his new role, all eyes will be on how his government implements its policies and navigates the complex landscape of European politics.
