Ghent (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever warned students at Ghent University that the European welfare state is unsustainable and will collapse within their lifetime if policies are not reformed. He urged structural changes including pension reforms, limits on unemployment benefits, and increased labour market productivity to avert a social and fiscal crisis.
De Wever’s stark warning at Ghent University
Bart De Wever, the Belgian Prime Minister and leader of the Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie (N-VA), delivered a sobering inaugural lecture to students at Ghent University on 7 October 2025. He stated that the welfare state as constructed after World War II—providing pensions, healthcare, and social safety nets is facing economic collapse unless fundamental policy reforms are implemented. De Wever asserted, “Without changes in policy, the welfare state will collapse, not in my lifetime but in yours”.
The lecture marked a continuation of his political engagement with students; he recalled a decade earlier discussing immigration, noting that his once-controversial views had since become mainstream, signalling the urgency with which students should heed his current message.
Welfare state’s economic foundation unsustainable
De Wever outlined the welfare state as historically a middle ground between communism and laissez-faire capitalism. However, the population ageing, soaring public debt, and productivity challenges strain this model. He highlighted Belgium’s struggle with extending working lives, boosting employment, and controlling public spending, noting these are crucial to easing the fiscal burden.
The Prime Minister pointed to measures already pursued by the “Arizona coalition” government, such as reforming pensions, limiting unemployment benefits duration, and reintegrating long-term sick individuals into the labour force. Yet he called these partial solutions, insisting the “real challenge lies at the European level,” urging EU completion of the single market and prioritising economic growth over overly ambitious climate policies.
Reforms proposed to safeguard welfare
Key reforms proposed by De Wever include:
- Limiting the length of unemployment benefits to incentivise return to work
- Reintegrating long-term sick leave recipients into the workforce through sanctions on employers and employees
- Extending working lives and raising retirement ages
- Increasing labour market participation and productivity
- Cutting public social spending to sustainable levels
Despite progress, De Wever admitted Belgium still faces a long road, emphasising that European cooperation is essential to solving structural challenges in public finances and social protection.
Criticism of EU policies and call for Benelux leadership
De Wever criticised what he described as internal EU trade barriers and regulatory overreach that hinder economic growth and competitiveness. He advocated the Benelux countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg) should lead efforts to reform Europe’s economy and restore prosperity.
He urged a pragmatic approach, warning against prioritising “the most climate-friendly policies imaginable” at the expense of economic stability. De Wever warned that a failure to balance these priorities would make Europeans vulnerable in a competitive global environment.
Balancing hope and frustration for Belgium’s future
While delivering a largely pessimistic outlook, De Wever tempered his speech with cautious optimism, suggesting Belgium could experience a new golden age reminiscent of Ghent’s 16th-century prosperity if reforms are implemented effectively.
In a moment of levity, he reflected on his political career and mistakes, particularly the missteps in trust during the “Swedish coalition” government, which he said cost both his party and the country.
Broader political context and fiscal challenges
Belgium’s government deficit is projected to reach €28 billion in 2024, surpassing the EU’s Stability and Growth Pact limits. The European Commission has called for corrective budgetary plans. De Wever’s government has pledged attention to pension reform, social welfare reduction, and possible new taxes such as a capital gains tax to rein in the deficit.
Economic observers warn Belgium must urgently reform its welfare system amid rapid demographic ageing to avoid fiscal insolvency and social unrest.
Public reaction and debate
De Wever’s message received mixed responses, ranging from acknowledgment of the necessity of reforms to criticism over the impact on vulnerable populations. Some unions and opposition politicians expressed concern about cuts to social safety nets and unemployment support.
Nonetheless, De Wever’s address underscores the urgent debate about how European welfare states can adapt to economic and demographic pressures without sacrificing social cohesion.
