Vincent Van Peteghem: The Steady Reformer in Belgium’s Budgetary Battles

by Liam Smith 3 September 2025

written by Liam Smith 3 September 2025

Born: October 28, 1980, in Ghent, Belgium. European Stability Mechanism
Education: He holds a Master’s in Applied Economics and a Master in Public Organization Management from Ghent University. He obtained a PhD in Applied Economics, focusing on improving organizational and economic processes. Википедия+2Википедия+2
Academic Career: Before full political engagement, he taught operations management and was Director for Education Innovation at EDHEC Business School in Lille. European Commission

Early Local Roles: He was active in CD&V (Christian Democratic & Flemish party). Joined local politics in De Pinte: served as municipal councillor from around 2012. Archyde+3knack.be
Mayor of De Pinte: He became mayor in 2019. Local roots gave him credibility and visibility. Википедия+3Википедия+3European Commission+3
National Politics: Elected to the Belgian Chamber of Representatives in 2014, taking over a seat in late 2016. Later also a member of the Flemish Parliament. He took on growing responsibilities within CD&V.

Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Finance: Since October 1, 2020, under the De Croo government, Van Peteghem was Finance Minister, tasked also with coordinating the fight against fraud and overseeing the National Lottery. European Commission
Minister of Budget & Administrative Simplification: Since February 2025, in the De Wever (Arizona coalition) government, he is Vice Prime Minister and has shifted portfolios from Finance to Budget, with responsibility for simplifying administration. 2vincentvanpeteghem.be+2

Tax, Wealth & Pollution: He has pushed for reforms aimed at reducing tax burden on labour, while increasing taxes or charges on wealth, pollution, and consumption. This “mini tax shift” is part of his attempt to make Belgium’s tax system more equitable and sustainable. European Commission+1
Banking & State Bonds: In 2023, he initiated a one-year state bond issue—among the largest financial operations in Belgian history—to stimulate the banking sector and provide better options for savers. European Commission+1
Fight Against Fraud & Customs: He has also emphasized strengthening Belgium’s customs to counter international drug trafficking, investing in resources and personnel. European Commission+2European Stability Mechanism+2

Overestimated Gains Warning: The Court of Audit has warned that some of the government’s projected gains—especially from employment growth in reforms—may be overly optimistic. Van Peteghem has defended the plans but acknowledges the need for adjustments. brusselstimes.com+1
Defence Spending & New Taxes: With Belgium raising defence spending to 2% of GDP, Van Peteghem has said there are “no taboos” about how to fund this—meaning he might support new or altered taxes. But this is controversial within his party and among other parties. brusselstimes.com

Family Life: Married to Evelyn De Blieck, father of three daughters: Josephine (born 2017), Florine (2019), and Olivia (2022). European Commission+1
Local Roots Matter: De Pinte is a small municipality, yet his role as mayor has kept him connected to his base. He remains active locally, even as he carries large national responsibilities.2brusselstimes.com+2
Approach & Style: Known for being intellectual, methodical, and consultative. He listens broadly, consults, then makes decisions. Despite the complexity of his portfolio, he emphasizes clarity with citizens and balancing big macro reforms with small local concerns. Archyde+2brusselstimes.com+2

Belgium must submit a multi-year budget plan with ambitious reforms. Van Peteghem is central to that negotiation. brusselstimes.com
His fiscal policies will impact middle class, pensioners, businesses, and environmental targets. How he handles transparency, ensuring projections are realistic, will shape public trust.
Internationally, the drive toward a global minimum tax and reforms in EU financial governance (like the Stability and Growth Pact) is part of his transnational impact. European Commission+2European Stability Mechanism+2

Sources

European Commission profile of Vincent Van Peteghem European Commission
Wikipedia (English and French) entries
The Brussels Times articles on budget reform and defence tax debates brusselstimes.com+2brusselstimes.com+2
His own website and biographical pages vincentvanpeteghem.be+1