Flemish Government in Crisis over Feuds, Holiday Promise

The Flemish government is facing a deepening political crisis characterized by public feuding among coalition partners, mounting criticism from former leaders, and questions about the stability of Minister-President Matthias Diependaele’s administration. On the occasion of the Flemish Community Day on 11 July, Diependaele made a striking promise to make the date a paid public holiday by 2028 — a move critics view as an attempt to regain political momentum.

A Coalition Under Strain

The Flemish government, a coalition of the Flemish-nationalist N-VA, the social-democratic Vooruit, and the Christian-democratic CD&V, has been in power since September 2024. But tensions that were simmering beneath the surface have now erupted into open conflict, with ministers publicly trading barbs before and during ministerial councils.

Former interim minister Hans Bonte (Vooruit) publicly criticized the government’s internal culture in a farewell interview, alleging that leaks from within the cabinet were undermining trust. According to VRT NWS, Bonte’s remarks prompted a sharp response from Diependaele in parliament, who said he was “teleurgesteld en verwonderd” (disappointed and astonished) by the accusations.

Bourgeois Sounds the Alarm

Perhaps the most damning criticism came from within Diependaele’s own party. Former Flemish Minister-President Geert Bourgeois (N-VA) expressed dismay at the infighting during an appearance on VRT’s Villa Politica. “I do not want to play the father-in-law,” Bourgeois said, “but I do note that the federal culture of ministers arguing among themselves has now found its way into the Flemish government. I regret that.”

Bourgeois questioned whether Diependaele has sufficient authority to control his ministers. “Matthias is making every effort,” he acknowledged. “But you also need a team that is willing to go along with that. It has crept in somehow. Particularly regrettable.” The remarks carry significant weight within N-VA and suggest internal party concerns about Diependaele’s leadership.

The Holiday Promise

In an extensive interview with Het Laatste Nieuws published on 11 July, Diependaele made a bold pledge: “11 July will become a paid public holiday. That must be arranged by 2028.” The promise aims to compensate for holidays falling on Sundays without adding extra costs for employers.

Currently, 11 July — which commemorates the Battle of the Golden Spurs (1302) — is not a paid public holiday for most workers in Flanders, unlike the Belgian national holiday on 21 July. The federal government’s coalition agreement gave regions the possibility to make their community day a paid holiday, but no concrete agreement had been reached until now.

Critics, however, question whether the promise is a distraction from deeper governance problems. De Morgen published a scathing analysis headlined “Diependaele has the charisma of a wet rag,” arguing that the government has lost its way.

Budgetary Pressures Mount

The political turmoil is unfolding against a backdrop of severe fiscal challenges. The SERV (Sociaal-Economische Raad van Vlaanderen) warned that the Flemish budget deficit could reach 1.66 billion euros by 2030, with government debt projected to approach 75 billion euros — a debt ratio exceeding 100 percent. Flanders’ debt grew 170 percent between 2019 and 2025, from 18.6 billion to over 50 billion euros.

Diependaele has defended the government’s record, arguing that borrowing for investments — such as the acquisition of a stake in Brussels Airport and support for research institute IMEC — is fundamentally different from borrowing for consumption. But coalition partners have expressed dissatisfaction with spending priorities. CD&V chair Sammy Mahdi questioned the financing of a horse jumping event, while Vooruit minister Melissa Depraetere acknowledged the infighting was “not pretty.”

Broader Political Reactions

The 11 July speeches by party leaders across the spectrum reflected the depth of the crisis. Jos D’Haese of PVDA declared that “the Flemish government has little to celebrate today. That is a government in crisis.” Groen chair Aimen Horch said “Flanders deserves a better government,” while Frédéric De Gucht of Anders argued that the government “radiates stagnation.”

Even within the coalition, tensions are palpable. Diependaele himself acknowledged the difficulties, telling VRT NWS in late June: “I am willing to vigorously defend the results we have achieved in the last six months. I do think it is good policy. But apparently that is not the case for everyone. That has disappointed and surprised me.”

What’s Next

The immediate question is whether Diependaele can restore authority and cohesion within his government. The 2028 deadline for the holiday promise provides some breathing room, but it does not address the underlying ideological tensions between N-VA’s fiscal conservatism and Flemish nationalism, Vooruit’s social-democratic priorities, and CD&V’s centrist approach.

With the federal government also under pressure — Prime Minister Bart De Wever has warned of a “Titanic” budget situation requiring up to 10 billion euros in savings by 2029 — the coming months will test whether the Flemish coalition can hold together or whether the cracks will widen into a full-blown governmental crisis.

This article was compiled from reporting by De Morgen, Het Laatste Nieuws, and VRT NWS.