Bart De Wever's Federal Government majority passed the symbolic vote of confidence overnight on Thursday. The Federal Chamber granted De Wever's new government confidence after more than 40 hours of debate on the new government’s general policy statement.
Since 10:00 on Wednesday, MPs engaged in continuous discussion of the government agreement. Several sections of the 'Arizona' agreement sparked lengthy and at times heated exchanges between the majority and the opposition, particularly on pension, employment, tax and asylum reforms.
Tensions flared when Bart De Wever and Socialist Party (PS) leader Paul Magnette directly confronted each other over the institutional chapter of the government agreement.
Magnette also criticised the Arizona coalition regarding the removal of the welfare envelope. "Frankly, Mr. Prévot, knowing you, I can’t believe it," the socialist said to Maxime Prévot, leader of Les Engagés.
The debate intensified further when Economy Minister David Clarinval (MR) told Raoul Hedebouw (PTB) came to blows. Hedebouw charged him with being "the party of the richest. We are the party of the workers, and we are proud of it."
'Without work, we have nothing'
"Sine labor nihil" ("without work, we have nothing" in Latin) was De Wever's justification for the measures in the agreement binding N-VA, MR, Les Engagés, Vooruit and CD&V.
"This government will support work by reducing burdens for those who work, with a particular focus on low earners," he emphasised.
Ultimately, the confidence motion was passed with 81 votes in favour, 66 against and no abstentions.
