The consolidated gross debt currently exceeds 38 billion euros and could rise to 49.6 billion euros at the end of the legislature, if nothing is done to control it.
In this context, “we must be very proactive to preserve our public policies”, insists the Minister-President, in charge of the Region’s budget. During the previous legislature, cumulative structural efforts of 150 million euros per year had already been decided. Next year, this effort will reach 268 million euros – “without raising new taxes” – for a total of 768 million euros in effort since 2022.
“The train of increasing debt was launched at a speed V Vprime. It is our duty to slow it down to return to a regular and slower pace, under penalty of being imposed, one day, by others, more painful measures,” adds the liberal. It confirms the budgetary trajectory set for a return to balance in SEC terms in 2029.
The debt burden will cost Wallonia one billion euros in 2029
At the start of 2025, Wallonia’s gross balance to be financed still amounts to -2.906 billion euros (21.7 billion in expenditure and 18.8 billion in revenue). The SEC balance reached -2.287 billion euros, compared to -2.209 billion a year earlier.
“The time of ‘whatever costs’ is over, but we are not breaking the machine. We are slowing down the growth of expenses without reducing important matters,” assures Adrien Dolimont. Policies relating to social action, health and local authorities thus increased from 7.3 billion euros in 2020 to 9.3 billion in 2024. And next year, these same resources will be increased to 9.5 billion , he illustrates.
“Let us commit, together, to doing better, with the same means, without adding additional means,” pleads the Minister-President to the deputies.
After interventions by representatives of the different parties, discussions on the regional budget were interrupted. They will give way, in the afternoon, to the draft decree relating in particular to the reduction of registration fees, to the great dismay of the opposition which sees in this “insane” timing an attempt by the majority to prevent any debate.
