MR Plunges in Polls, Asbestos Immunity Lifted, Fraud Yields 100M
Three major political developments have reshaped Belgium’s news landscape this week. The liberal MR party has suffered a dramatic collapse in the polls, losing a third of its voters. The federal government has lifted a long-standing immunity for asbestos companies, opening the door for victims to seek justice in court. And a crackdown on social fraud has already recovered over €100 million in the first quarter of 2026.
MR’s Polling Collapse: A Liberal Earthquake
Just two years after Georges-Louis Bouchez led the Mouvement Réformateur (MR) to a historic victory with 28.2% of the vote in Wallonia and Brussels, the party has seen its support crater. According to the latest “Grote Peiling” (Great Poll) published by Het Laatste Nieuws, MR would now receive just 20.1% in Wallonia and 15.1% in Brussels — a loss of roughly one-third of its 2024 electorate.
The decline pushes MR to third place in Wallonia, behind the PS and Les Engagés. Combined with its Flemish liberal counterpart Anders (formerly Open Vld), the liberal family would retain only 16 federal seats — down 11 from today — making them the smallest political bloc after the Greens.
Political journalist Fleur Mees notes that Bouchez’s polarizing style is a key factor. “Bouchez does not hesitate to attack his opponents and his coalition partners head-on if something displeases him,” she writes. “For moderate centrist voters, that polarization may be a bridge too far.”
Economic headwinds have also played a role. Bouchez campaigned on promises of lower taxes and more purchasing power, but Middle East tensions have driven up fuel prices and slowed the economy — hitting lower-income Wallonia particularly hard. Trust in the federal government now stands at just 25% among Walloons, compared to 35% in Flanders, while trust in the Walloon regional government led by MR’s Adrien Dolimont has halved to 22%.
Notably, nearly a quarter of voters now supporting Les Engagés — MR’s coalition partner — came from the liberals, suggesting the decline is driven more by Bouchez’s style than by anti-government sentiment.
Asbestos Justice: A Decades-Long Fight Finally Pays Off
In a landmark decision, the federal government has lifted the immunity protecting asbestos companies, allowing “environmental victims” — people who lived near facilities like Eternit and became ill — to sue for compensation. Convicted polluting companies will also be required to make additional contributions to the Asbestos Fund.
As VRT NWS reports, the measure was included in the current coalition agreement after previous attempts repeatedly failed, notably due to opposition from the liberal Open VLD (now Anders).
Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit) called the decision “an important step toward more justice for asbestos victims,” adding that it “links responsibility with solidarity.”
N-VA chairperson Valerie Van Peel, a long-time advocate for asbestos victims, recalled the personal toll of the fight. “Five times in the past 10 years I tried to lift that immunity. Five times it was blocked,” she said. “And five times people like Eric Jonckheere and Erik Meersschaert sat in the audience — men who devoted their lives to fighting asbestos producers. Both died of asbestos disease.”
“Asbestos is not a problem of the past,” Van Peel added. “It still claims more lives in this country every year than traffic does.”
Social Fraud Crackdown: €100M Recovered in Q1
Belgium’s intensified fight against social fraud is producing tangible results. The government recovered over €100 million in the first quarter of 2026 — €3 million more than the same period last year, according to Het Laatste Nieuws.
Inspection services conducted 38,556 investigations in Q1 — nearly 3,000 more than last year — with violations detected in almost half of all cases. The new Action Plan 2026-2027, which includes 91 planned actions, is already 10 actions fully executed.
Minister of Social Fraud Prevention Rob Beenders (Vooruit) emphasized the importance of the crackdown. “Whoever commits fraud is essentially stealing from everyone who works honestly and contributes correctly,” he said. “Especially now that many families and businesses are struggling economically, we must be extra strict with people who deliberately break the rules.”
The strategy combines enforcement with prevention: the RSZ has informed 223 new employers about their obligations, flash inspections have targeted the construction and metal sectors, and transport inspectors can now collect fines on the spot.
What It All Means
These three stories, while distinct, paint a picture of a government navigating multiple pressures. The MR’s polling crisis raises questions about the long-term viability of the liberal agenda in Francophone Belgium. The asbestos decision represents a long-delayed victory for public health and environmental justice. And the social fraud crackdown signals a government determined to demonstrate fiscal responsibility — even as it faces headwinds from a sluggish economy.
For Bouchez and the MR, the bet is that voters will feel promised tax relief in their wallets within three years. For asbestos victims, the wait for justice is finally over. And for those defrauding the system, the message is clear: the net is tightening.