PM bids to cut social security debt

8 October 2004

BRUSSELS – Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt wants to sell off state-owned buidlings in order to help slash the country’s massive social security defict, it has emerged.

Verhofstadt believes a sell off of buildings belonging to the social security authorities could raise over EUR500 million, Flemish newspaper De Morgen reported on Friday.

The country’s social security debt for 2005 is expected to run to around EUR1 billion.

It is not clear whether Verhofstadt will get the go ahead for his plan however, as the organisations that manage the country’s social security system oppose the move.

Subject: Belgian news