BRUSSELS — A wave of criticism has emerged following the unveiling of Belgium’s new Cabinet, which is predominantly composed of white, middle-aged men. A ceremonial photograph taken after the formation of the government showcased this stark imbalance, prompting a retake after public outcry highlighted the absence of diversity, particularly regarding gender representation. The Cabinet includes only four women among its 15 ministers, a situation that contrasts sharply with the previous administration led by Alexander De Croo, which achieved gender parity.
Calls for change amid disappointment
Marie-Colline Leroy, former Belgian secretary for gender equality, conveyed her disappointment through a post on Bluesky, stating, “How is it going? Hope we (half of humanity) are not bothering you too much!” Vanessa Matz, the newly appointed modernization minister, echoed concerns about the representation of women in the Cabinet, expressing discomfort with the current composition. “I don’t find it normal … four women … is obviously very, very few,” Matz remarked, emphasizing that none of these women hold positions in the kern, the core Cabinet of deputy prime ministers where critical issues are discussed.
The ‘Smurfette principle’ and its implications
Katrien Van den broeck, a communications expert from the previous De Croo government, drew an analogy between the Cabinet’s composition and the village of the beloved Belgian comic characters, stating, “There’s many kinds of men in that village … And there’s one woman, Smurfette, and one woman is enough.” She criticized the government for prioritizing neither diversity nor inclusiveness, stressing that these should be essential concerns of any administration.
The current conservative coalition, which includes parties such as the right-wing New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) and the francophone center-right Reformist Movement, was formed after extensive negotiations lasting seven months. The distribution of ministerial roles is largely determined by the share of votes received by political parties during elections, which has contributed to the gender imbalance. Alarmingly, the situation is particularly striking considering Belgium’s history as the first country to implement legally binding gender quotas for political parties in 1994.
Prime Minister Bart De Wever acknowledged the criticism, stating, “It’s a shame” there are not more women in the Cabinet. He described the situation as “more of a coincidence, not a choice” and noted that while it is “not elegant” to have an all-male Cabinet, such occurrences can happen.
Critics argue that the lack of diversity among ministers extends beyond gender to include race, age, education, and sexual orientation. Robie Devroe, a researcher from the University of Ghent, highlighted that this lack of representation may hinder the legislative process and diminish the rights of women and minorities. Furthermore, he warned that a Cabinet dominated by white, middle-aged men could discourage broader societal interest in politics among underrepresented groups.
In light of these issues, the opposition socialist party has proposed a constitutional amendment to guarantee gender parity. Minister Matz has advocated for the introduction of quotas at the federal level, calling it “a necessary evil” that should remain until true equality is achieved. She expressed a commitment to representing women’s interests in a male-dominated Cabinet, stating, “I have three wonderful [female] colleagues who, like me, believe it’s important — so we’re not going to let anyone push us around.”