De Wever cancels State of the Union as budget talks stall
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A nationwide public transport strike has brought significant disruptions to commuters, particularly in Brussels and the Liege region, with reduced services and suspended tram lines. The strike, called by a socialist trade union, is protesting government policies and affecting half of the Letec network in Liege and numerous routes in the capital.
On the political front, the federal budget deadlock persists, leading Prime Minister Bart De Wever to postpone his State of the Union address and warn of a potential emergency budget, setting a new deadline for early November. This federal impasse contrasts with the Walloon government, led by Minister-President Adrien Dolimont, which has successfully reached an agreement on its regional budget and is set to present it today.
In a significant social development, Belgium has recorded more people receiving basic income support than registered unemployed individuals for the first time, signaling a notable shift in the welfare state. This comes amidst criticism and calls for Minister Zuhal Demir to re-evaluate unemployment figures. Meanwhile, the heritage sector in Flanders is expressing distress over severe regional budget cuts.