The government renews its meeting on the budget and measures for the rise in energy prices | interior

Over the past few weeks, various proposals have been launched by government parties, notably the Greens, PS, CD&V and MR, on how to keep energy bills affordable for citizens and businesses: an extension of the social energy tariff that would normally be expected At the end of this year. It ends, giving a €100 energy voucher to each household and replacing (part of) the federal energy tax with a selective tax. By working a fixed amount rather than a percentage, the price increase can be better controlled. There is even a cliquet system on the table, where the excise will go down when the prices go up. French-speaking liberals are in favor of this.

Energy Minister Tinne Van der Straeten (Groen) is said to have proposed a set of structural and temporary measures to the primary cabinet. Achieving the energy standard is also part of this. This measure has already been announced in the alliance agreement and means that the cost of the federal energy policy for citizens and businesses will remain within limits in order to protect their purchasing power and competitiveness vis-à-vis neighboring countries. This energy standard can be achieved by introducing excise duties.

What appears to have been obtained for all government parties is the idea that additional VAT revenue from increased energy prices (around €200-250 million) should not flow into the treasury, but to citizens and businesses. It is also the intention that the measures taken will take effect as soon as possible.

Just before 5 p.m., the power file has been set aside, and an agreement is expected on Sunday. The package of measures can be explained during a press conference.

The debate about energy prices is closely related to those related to the budget. De Croo’s government must keep in mind two important deadlines: on October 12 the prime minister will read his annual policy statement in the Chamber of Deputies, and Belgium must present its budget to the European Commission by October 15 at the latest. According to press leaks, the Prime Minister will propose a total provision of 2 billion euros. However, the Socialist parties, led by Socialist Party Chairman Paul Magnet, are wary of over-budgeting orthodoxy and want space to invest in a society in complete transformation. On the other hand, MR President Georges-Louis Bochese broke a spear to cut spending in Lecco on Saturday. He said that with the introduction of tax on securities accounts, the government has already made an effort on the revenue side.

“Yesterday most of them looked political intentionsVTM NIEUWS reporter Karel Lattrez explains in Wetstraat, but it’s not clear what happened to these intentions.

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