News Summary:
On January 29, 2026, Prime Minister Bart De Wever, speaking at a New Year's event hosted by De Tijd and L'Echo, called for member states to steer the European Commission in a new direction, advocating for a slower climate agenda, deregulation, and a deeper internal market. This followed a report on January 28, 2026, by L'Echo and De Tijd, stating that approximately 2.4 million Belgians benefited from an increased intervention (BIM) as of June 30, 2025. This figure marks an increase of nearly 400,000 beneficiaries since June 2020, now representing 21% of the Belgian population. Previously, a De Tijd survey on December 13, 2025, found investors were selling more physical gold than usual due to the January 1, 2026, introduction of a capital gains tax and uncertainty surrounding its application. On December 12, 2025, De Tijd's "The 7 Extra" podcast explored the economic implications of declining birth rates across Europe, including Belgium. Earlier, on December 9, 2025, De Tijd reported that the new tax on financial gains, expected to generate 500 million euros, would indeed come into effect on January 1, 2026, a confirmation from the Finance Minister's office.
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