Belgium's new government was installed on Monday, almost eight months after an election won by the Flemish nationalist N-VA party. N-VA leader Bart De Wever was appointed as prime minister, marking the first time the federal Belgian government will be led by a Flemish nationalist.

Belgium's newly formed government, led by Flemish nationalist leader Bart De Wever, was assembled nearly eight months post-election. The coalition aims at economic reforms like budget cuts and pension changes,

De Wever’s right-wing nationalist party claims as one of its missions the independence of Flanders from Belgium, although it’s shifted its approach to one of “confederalism,” whereby a minimal federal state remains in place but its regions get most of its powers.

Political parties in Belgium agreed on Friday to form a new government, the office of Belgian King Philippe said, ending almost eight months of complicated talks that followed the election victory of Flemish nationalist party N-VA.

The country’s tense negotiations hinged on taxing and social spending — and they highlight issues facing Europe, and Western democracies, as a whole.