Elio Di Rupo

Under Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo, Belgium enacted a sixth state reform that transferred more powers to the regions and communities, including justice, traffic laws, and parts of social security. This was part of the coalition agreement to resolve the political crisis.

Elio Di Rupo became Prime Minister of Belgium, leading a coalition government after a record 541-day political crisis. He was the first openly gay head of government in the world and the first Francophone socialist PM in decades.

Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo's government achieved a balanced federal budget for the first time in decades, meeting EU deficit targets. This was accomplished through austerity measures and tax increases, which were controversial but stabilized public finances.