Former Prime Minister Alexander De Croo has officially departed from his role, stating that it was an "honour" to lead Belgium.
Belgium has a new Federal Government after almost nine months of negotiations. The 'Arizona' coalition, led by new Prime Minister Bart De Wever, took the oath on Monday morning. It replaced Alexander De Croo's 'Vivaldi' government that was in power since 2020.
After presiding over a "government in current affairs" since elections last June, De Croo took to social media to mark the end of his post and congratulate his successor.
Outgoing Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and the new Prime Minister Bart De Wever pictured during the passing of power to the new Minister, at the Prime Minister's cabinet, Monday 03 February 2025, in Brussels. Credit: Belga
"It was an honour to be Prime Minister and to work with so many committed people," he said. "Any responsibility is temporary, but my commitment never ends."
As he handed over the keys to Rue de la Loi 16, the official Prime Minister's residence, De Croo gifted a Lonely Planet travel guide for the US State of Arizona and a Latin copy of 'De Bello Gallico', Julius Caesar's firsthand account of the Gallic Wars.
The first gift is a nod to the name of the new governmental coalition. The second gift, written in Latin, contains one of the first-ever references to Belgium. De Wever has a penchant for Roman history.
