Right-wing parties gained momentum in Belgium’s national elections on Sunday, significantly impacting left-wing and green parties. This shift prompted the liberal coalition Prime Minister to step down.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo announced his resignation, acknowledging the poor performance of his governing coalition in the country’s ‘Super Sunday’ election. This event saw residents voting for their new parliament, regional representatives, and new members of the European Parliament.
On Sunday night, Russia hawk De Croo remarked, “For us, it was a particularly difficult evening, we lost. From tomorrow, I will be a resigning Prime Minister. But the liberals [will be back].” De Croo will continue as caretaker Prime Minister until a new government is formed, which historically can take over a year in Belgium.
Early results indicate that the conservative-nationalist Eurosceptic New Flemish Alliance (NVA) will be the largest party in Belgium, closely followed by the right-wing populist Eurosceptic Vlaams Belang (VB). Despite VB not performing as strongly as polled, reducing some election night momentum, the overall results show Belgium’s Green parties losing 11 of their 21 seats. Significant to note is that the largest parties in the country hosting the institutions of the European Union are Eurosceptic.
The Belgian PM had previously engaged in 2022’s debate when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. He expressed his concerns back then, stating he was “very concerned about the implications of [the US Supreme Court] decision on Roe v Wade and the signal it sends to the world. Banning abortion never leads to fewer abortions, only to more unsafe abortions.”
“Belgium will continue to work with other countries to advance [Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights] everywhere.”
