Belgium’s new Arizona government sworn in at Royal Palace

Prime minister Bart De Wever (N-VA) and his team took the oath at a swearing-in ceremony before King Philippe of Belgium at the Royal Palace on Monday at 9.00.

The new coalition government named ‘Arizona’ for its resemblance of the colours of the American state’s flag replaces the previous Vivaldi government almost eight months after Belgium went to the polls.

A breakthrough in the tortuous negotiations was finally reached on Friday by negotiators from the five parties forming the coalition: the right-wing New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), the francophone centre-right Reformist Movement (MR), the francophone centrist Les Engagés, the centrist Christian Democrat and Flemish Party and the centre-left Flemish Vooruit party.

De Wever is joined by seven francophone ministers and seven Flemish ministers in the new government, reports RTBF.

In an unexpected move, MR leader Georges-Louis Bouchez announced on Monday morning that he would not be taking a place in the federal government after all. Tipped to become the new deputy prime minister and interior minister, he has chosen to remain in position as the president of his party. According to his party’s rules, Bouchez would have had to step down from this role if he was appointed federal minister.

Maxime Prévot (Les Engagés) now becomes deputy prime minister as minister of foreign affairs and development cooperation. He will denounce his position as Namur mayor and president of his party.  

The four other deputy prime ministers are: David Clarinval (MR), minister of employment, economy and agriculture; Vincent Van Peteghem (CD&V), budget minister; Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit), who remains health minister; Jan Jambon (N-VA), minister of finance and pensions.

It means that there are no women in the “kern”, the inner cabinet composed of the prime minister and the deputy prime ministers.

“This is not the image we should be giving in 2025," lamented Annelies Verlinden (CD&V), who retains her position as justice minister. The new prime minister himself acknowledged that this situation was surprising and “a shame”.

Following Monday’s swearing-in ceremony, an official transfer of power between outgoing caretaker prime minister Alexander De Croo (Open VLD) and De Wever was conducted at 16 Rue de la Loi in Brussels.

Photo: The complete Arizona government with King Philippe at the Royal Palace ©Belga/Jasper Jacobs