Bart De Wever Sworn in as Belgium’s New Prime Minister, Marking a Right-Wing Shift
Leader of the nationalist N-VA party Bart De Wever, has been sworn in as Belgium’s new prime minister after securing a challenging coalition deal that marks a shift towards the political right in the country.
De Wever, 54, is the first nationalist from Dutch-speaking Flanders to hold the office of prime minister in Belgium.
His rise to power follows seven months of intensive negotiations, reflecting the increasing influence of right-wing politics in Europe. De Wever, a law-and-order candidate, has pledged to tackle irregular migration, a central issue for his coalition, which aligns with the broader trend of rising right-wing sentiment across the continent.
De Wever, known for previously advocating for Flanders’ independence, has softened his stance on this issue in recent years, emphasizing more pragmatic concerns. He took the oath of office before King Philippe at the royal palace in Brussels, then immediately headed to an EU summit focused on defense and transatlantic relations. During the summit, De Wever reiterated Belgium’s commitment to meeting NATO’s defense spending target of 2% of GDP, a notable increase from the current 1.3%.
De Wever also spoke candidly about Europe’s defense posture, acknowledging that “Europe has been a bit lazy on the topic of defense,” a sentiment underscored by Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine. He stressed the need to preserve strong relations between the European Union and the United States, particularly amid challenges from figures like U.S. President Donald Trump, who has pressured allies to increase their defense contributions.
De Wever’s appointment comes at a time when hard-right parties in Europe have gained momentum, with groups like the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), which includes De Wever’s N-VA, seeing significant growth. The ECR now boasts three prime ministers at the European Council table and plays a role in governments across several European countries.
This rightward shift has been mirrored by gains in other European nations, with anti-immigrant rhetoric and nationalist policies proving increasingly popular. As Belgium’s new prime minister, De Wever’s approach will likely resonate with broader trends across Europe, where right-wing parties have topped recent elections in countries like Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands.
