The Walloon government has unveiled its budget for 2025, with the goal of reducing the deficit by 2029 and achieving a balanced budget by 2034.
The budget focuses on efficiency rather than cuts to essential services and aims to preserve key sectors, particularly healthcare. There are no new taxes included in the budget.
The government plans to save €268 million, which is the largest savings effort in recent years, in order to free up budgetary margins for new policies and respond to crisis situations. The government will evaluate the future of projects under the Recovery Plan by the end of 2024.
To achieve the savings target, the government has outlined specific measures, including reductions in government office budgets, a freeze on indexation for local authorities, and cuts in economic aid.
Despite the focus on savings, the government is committed to financing new policies, such as reducing registration fees and investing in engineering structures, healthcare, and environmental protection. Existing policies, such as family allowances and support for vulnerable populations, will continue to receive funding.
The budget also preserves allocations for energy, housing, and climate change initiatives.
The budget presentation was made in conjunction with the Wallonia-Brussels Federation budget, highlighting the interconnectedness of regional financial strategies.