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Four months of backstage horse-trading resulted in a new right-wing government for Belgium yesterday.
King Philippe swore in Francophone free-market liberal Charles Michel as the public face of a four-party administration dominated by the Flemish-secessionist and pro-business New Flemish Alliance (N-VA).
N-VA leader Bart De Wever has made clear that the government will impose austerity measures of €8 billion (£6.3bn) to reach a balanced budget by 2018.
It will lower some taxes and raise the pension age from 65 to 67 by 2030.
Mr De Wever, who has decided to remain mayor of Antwerp instead of joining the government, is seen by many as the real leader of the coalition.
“The Michel government is my ideal coalition,” he said at the weekend.
Outgoing prime minister Elio Di Rupo has vowed to lead opposition to the austerity policies and has already received strong backing from trade union leaders.
