After nearly eight months in waiting, Belgium now has a new Federal Government – and a new Prime Minister, albeit a reluctant one. The opinions on him are divided, but who is Bart De Wever?
Once a radical Flemish nationalist who drove a dozen trucks full of fake money to Wallonia to make the point that "his" Flanders was bleeding too much money toward the poorer French-speaking region, De Wever is not expected to be the figurehead of a united Belgium.
But 20 years after that provocative stunt, De Wever will take the baton from Alexander De Croo (Open VLD) and become the international face of Belgium – despite having said he would rather not take the job and would prefer to stay as Mayor of Antwerp.
Notwithstanding De Wever's more moderate tone in recent years, the Flemish nationalist N-VA party still strives for an independent Flanders. While he is the most obvious person to become Prime Minister, it remains a somewhat controversial move to appoint a Flemish nationalist as the leader of the country he has previously wanted to split up.
Hardcore Flemish nationalist?
In 2004, De Wever became party leader of the Flemish nationalist and conservative New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) – a small party with just one Federal MP. In the two decades since he took charge, the party has grown into what is now the biggest political force in the country.
As a student, he first tried law at the University of Antwerp for two years but dropped out to study history at the University of Leuven instead. In both cities, he joined Flemish nationalist student clubs and became editor-in-chief of their student magazines.
He had a strong focus on Flanders during and after the Second World War and even started a PhD on forming a post-war nationalist Flemish party. His father was a member of the paramilitary Flemish Militant Order after WWII.
N-VA leader Bart De Wever delivers a speech during a party congress, Saturday 13 May 2006. Credit: Belga/Lieven Van Assche
Yet in 2002, De Wever decided to devote himself to politics. He has since grown into one of Belgium's most loved – and loathed – politicians.
Five years into his career (in 2007), controversy hit De Wever after the Flemish far-right Vlaams Belang party published a 1996 photograph of him standing next to Jean-Marie Le Pen of France's far-right Front National on the occasion of a lecture for the Flemish-National Debate Club in Antwerp.
De Wever later explained that he attended the debate right after his studies, saying it was "a unique opportunity to hear Le Pen, who was a major figure in French politics at the time." However, he stated that the debate was "uninteresting" and called Le Pen "a show-off... who had no answers for anything." He further commented that he had no connection with the far-right.
Ancient history and weight loss
Vlaams Belang aimed to discredit De Wever's career with the publication of the photo, but the opposite happened. The Flemish public accepted De Wever's explanation and a year later he participated in a hugely popular Flemish TV quiz show ('De Slimste Mens ter Wereld') – catalysing his breakthrough with the wider public.
Whether they agreed or disagreed with his political points of view, the quiz did wonders for De Wever's public image. For nearly two weeks, viewers got to know De Wever as a quick-witted, well-educated man with an ancient Roman history obsession and a dry sense of humour.
Those who are used to seeing the annual press photos of De Wever running the Antwerp 10 Miles race might be surprised, but at the start of his career, he was possibly best-known for weighing 142 kg.
Bart De Wever during government formation talks in 2007 (left), running in the Antwerp Marathon event in 2018. Credit: Belga
In 2012, he lost 58 kg under medical supervision with the PronoKal diet and has maintained a healthy weight ever since. While he initially remained rather tight-lipped about his weight, he later spoke about it openly on Flemish and Dutch television.
But although being 60 kg lighter worked wonders for his health, De Wever questioned whether being slimmer was an advantage in his worklife. "Certainly not in Flanders, where we enjoy the 'Burgundian lifestyle'. People love politicians who have a good amount of meat to their bones. Oh well, showing perseverance might be good too."
Not much later, De Wever became mayor of his beloved City of Antwerp – a position he holds to this day and will only drop once he is officially sworn in as the country's Prime Minister.
'Political animal'
Family, friends, colleagues and experts have all described De Wever as a man who lives and breathes politics. In November 2024, a documentary about the Flemish nationalist, called 'Bart De Wever: Politiek Beest' ('Bart De Wever: Political Animal') was screened in Belgian theatres.
For ten years, well-known Flemish TV maker Paul Jambers was allowed to follow De Wever behind the scenes during the six elections that took place over that period. While De Wever said that he is used to appearing on television just about every day, seeing yourself on a cinema screen is different. "It is not that pleasant. On the big screen, you see yourself how you are – not how you think you are."
N-VA leader Bart De Wever at a meeting of the party's Antwerp branch, on the evening of the local elections on Sunday 13 October 2024. Credit: Belga/Dirk Waem
He called himself "rather jolly" but said he realised that this does not come across in the documentary. He said the film was "merciless" in showing the real De Wever.
The razor-sharp comments he has become known for were also addressed in the film. "Everything I say sounds funny in my head. But when you see yourself saying it and you see the reaction of others, you notice that messages can come across differently. That's a bit awkward sometimes."
Flemish independence
In real life, nearly all his opponents have commented that they deeply respect De Wever for his debating skills and intellect, they also said he can be "cold as ice" when required and never wavers from his conservative ideology – which has been steadfast for decades.
However, his preferred means to achieve greater Flemish autonomy has evolved since he came to lead N-VA in the early 2000s. To transform his anti-establishment party into a governing one, De Wever had to think of changing Belgium from within rather than breaking it down from the outside. To do so, he transformed N-VA from a one-issue campaign (for Flemish independence) into a political party with a far broader right-wing appeal.
But despite the party being in government for more than a decade, Flemish autonomy or independence does not seem any closer.
De Wever looks non-plussed as he is handed a Belgian flag by a monarchist, 2013. Credit: Belga/Jonas Roosens
While in 2022, De Wever still said that only 'confederalism' (ed. more powers and competencies to the regions instead of the centralised Federal Government) can offer a solution, he changed his tune during his party's annual New Year's speech in January 2025.
"N-VA is willing to take on federal responsibility and lead the next Belgian Government," De Wever said. "I am ready to become Prime Minister if there is progress on reforms for the Communities and if the further development of Flanders' autonomy is not a taboo."
Belgium, a sinking ship?
The French-speaking side of the country, however, is rather cautious about what De Wever will do. Previously, Les Engagés leader Maxime Prévot said that he is not against De Wever as a person but hoped that it could be assumed that the leader of the country "respects the entire population" and "respects his country, loves it and promotes it."
"Does this description apply to someone like Bart De Wever? He is the leader of the biggest party in the Kingdom, but right now it is difficult for many people in the south. He must show in the coming weeks that he is not hostile to francophones or the country."
De Wever meanwhile stressed that while he is ready to "lead the country," he has no intention of "sitting powerlessly as the next captain of the Titanic."
Only time will tell.
