Will the budget be finalized on time or are we heading for provisional twelfths? "Money time for Prime Minister De Wever"

The coming hours are critical for the De Wever government to avoid a contingency budget. Political scientist Nicolas Bouteca expresses doubts about reaching an agreement, noting that the party Vooruit is seeking electoral gains at the expense of the N-VA. Negotiations have been ongoing for months without a resolution, and failure to agree could lead to a provisional budget. Bouteca highlights that Vooruit is becoming more assertive, particularly regarding proposals affecting sick leave benefits. The party aims to find a compromise that allows them to claim a victory, while also addressing issues raised by other coalition members. Prime Minister De Wever is conducting bilateral talks with various vice premiers to navigate these challenges.