Belgian PM defends budget ahead of confidence vote

Belgium's prime minister defended on 16 October 2016 at the parliament its national budget for the following year and its general vision for the country's future, following tensions within his coalition government.

Spending cuts and a controversial capital gains tax proposed in the draft budget proposal exposed sharp differences within the government. An agreement was reach on 14 October, as the government agreed overall savings of €3 billion but left the capital gains tax to be considered further.

• Primary Source

European Commission: DG Economic and Financial Affairs: EU economic situation: Economies of the Member States: Belgium http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/eu/countries/belgium_en.htm

European Commission: DG Economic and Financial Affairs: EU economic governance: Stability and Growth Pact: Draft budgetary plans of euro area Member States http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/economic_governance/sgp/budgetary_plans/index_en.htm

Luxemburger Wort, 15.10.16: Belgium agrees budget after tough talks on spending cuts http://www.wort.lu/en/business/saturday-belgium-agrees-budget-after-tough-talks-on-spending-cuts-58023d195061e01abe83a608

Bloomberg, 15.10.16: Belgium Puts Corporate Tax Rate Under Review in Budget Deal http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-15/belgium-puts-corporate-tax-rate-under-review-in-budget-deal

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