De Croo Government: Composition and Ministerial Transitions
The formation of the De Croo government marked a significant shift in the Belgian federal executive, characterized by a broadened cabinet and a strategic blend of new faces and returning political veterans. To adhere to the Constitution, which mandates an equal number of Dutch-speaking and French-speaking ministers, the government expanded its size to accommodate the various parties involved in the coalition.
Compared to the preceding Wilmès II Government, the De Croo administration saw a notable increase in membership. The cabinet grew from 12 to 14 ministers, supplemented by five Secretaries of State, resulting in a total of seven additional government members.
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Key Facts
- Constitutional Balance: The government maintains an equal split between Dutch-speaking and French-speaking ministers.
- Cabinet Size: Comprised of 14 ministers and 5 Secretaries of State.
- Leadership: Led by Prime Minister Alexander De Croo of the Open Vld party.
- Continuity: Only three ministers from the Wilmès II Government remained: Alexander De Croo, Sophie Wilmès, and David Clarinval.
- Notable Return: Frank Vandenbroucke returned to politics after a nine-year hiatus to serve as Minister of Health and Social Affairs.
Government Structure and Portfolios
The administration is structured with a Prime Minister, several Deputy Prime Ministers holding key portfolios, and a series of specialized ministers and Secretaries of State. The distribution of roles reflects the coalition's need to balance diverse party interests and linguistic requirements.
Executive Leadership and Deputy Prime Ministers
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open Vld) leads the government. The Deputy Prime Ministers manage critical sectors including Economy and Employment (Pierre-Yves Dermagne), Mobility (Georges Gilkinet), and Finance (Vincent Van Peteghem). The role of Deputy Prime Minister for the MR party has seen transitions, moving from Sophie Wilmès to David Clarinval.
Ministerial and Secretarial Roles
The cabinet includes ministers overseeing Justice, Defence, Climate, and the Interior. Additionally, Secretaries of State provide support to senior ministers in areas such as Digitization, Asylum and Migration, and Budget and Consumer Protection.
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| Minister/Secretary | Primary Portfolio | Party | Term Start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander De Croo | Prime Minister | Open Vld | 1 October 2020 |
| Pierre-Yves Dermagne | Economy and Employment | PS | 1 October 2020 |
| Vincent Van Peteghem | Finance | CD&V | 1 October 2020 |
| Frank Vandenbroucke | Social Affairs and Public Health | Vooruit | 1 October 2020 |
| Zakia Khattabi | Climate, Environment, and Green Deal | Ecolo | 1 October 2020 |
| Annelies Verlinden | Interior | CD&V | 1 October 2020 |
Evolution of the Cabinet Composition
The composition of the government has been fluid, with several high-profile resignations and replacements occurring between 2020 and 2025.
Resignations and Transitions
- Sophie Wilmès: After a temporary leave starting in April 2022, Wilmès resigned on 14 July 2022. Her portfolios were largely taken over by Hadja Lahbib, though David Clarinval remained Deputy Prime Minister for the MR.
- Budgetary Changes: Secretary of State Eva De Bleeker resigned on 18 November 2022 following budget errors and was replaced by Alexia Bertrand.
- Health and Development: Meryame Kitir was replaced by Caroline Gennez on 17 December 2022. Later, on 1 October 2024, Gennez resigned to join the Diependaele government, with Frank Vandenbroucke assuming her responsibilities.
- Justice: Vincent Van Quickenborne resigned on 20 October 2023 following a failure to process a deportation request related to the 2023 Brussels shooting. He was succeeded by Paul Van Tigchelt.
Political Shifts and Appointments
Some changes were driven by internal party politics. Sammy Mahdi stepped down as Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration on 27 June 2022 after being elected president of the CD&V, leading to the appointment of Nicole de Moor. Similarly, Sarah Schlitz resigned in April 2023 following controversy over the use of a personal logo in government projects, replaced by Marie-Colline Leroy.
Most recently, Hadja Lahbib resigned on 1 December 2024 to become a European commissioner in the von der Leyen Commission II, with Bernard Quintin succeeding her as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the number of ministers increase in the De Croo government?
The increase from 12 to 14 ministers, plus five Secretaries of State, was necessary to ensure all coalition parties had positions while maintaining the constitutional requirement for an equal number of Dutch- and French-speaking members.
Who replaced Sophie Wilmès as Minister of Foreign Affairs?
After a period of acting leadership by Alexander De Croo, Hadja Lahbib officially succeeded Sophie Wilmès on 15 July 2022. Later, Bernard Quintin took over the role on 2 December 2024.
What led to the resignation of Vincent Van Quickenborne?
Minister Van Quickenborne resigned on 20 October 2023 after it was revealed that a 2022 request from Tunisia to transfer a perpetrator involved in the 2023 Brussels shooting had not been processed due to an error.
How did Alexia Bertrand join the government as a member of the MR party?
Although a member of the French-speaking liberals (MR), Alexia Bertrand was invited to become a member of the Flemish-speaking liberals (Open Vld) to allow her to take the position of Secretary of State for Budget and Consumer Protection.
Which veteran politician returned to the government after a long break?
Frank Vandenbroucke returned to politics after a nine-year absence to serve as the Minister of Social Affairs and Public Health, having previously held various ministerial roles between 1994 and 2009.