Charles Michel, the former President of the European Council and former Prime Minister of Belgium, is pivoting toward a career in law and private consultancy, whereas offering a stark assessment of the current Belgian political trajectory. In recent reflections on his transition away from the summit of European diplomacy, Michel argued that the newly formed “Arizona” government will struggle to match the scale of reforms he spearheaded during his own tenure.
Now serving as Senior Counsel at the Paris-based arbitration firm Clay and launching his own consultancy, the Charles Michel Office in Brussels, the liberal statesman has signaled a definitive break from active politics. While he noted that he does not make absolute promises about the distant future, he stated, “I have neither the wish nor the intention to relaunch myself into a political career.”
The shift marks the fulfillment of a long-held personal ambition. Michel revealed that becoming a lawyer was a dream he developed early in his life, a goal that had previously been eclipsed by his rapid ascent through the ranks of the Mouvement Réformateur (MR) and his eventual leadership of the Belgian federal government.
The Scale of Reform: Swedish vs. Arizona
Central to Michel’s current analysis is a comparison between the “Swedish coalition”—the nickname for the government he led—and the current “Arizona” coalition. Michel expressed pride in the legislative legacy of the Swedish government, describing the reforms enacted during that period as “absolutely historic for the country, by their magnitude, by their scope.”
In contrast, Michel believes the current Arizona administration is operating under constraints that will inevitably limit its impact. He asserted that the current government will not achieve something as significant as what was accomplished under the Swedish government, though he clarified that this assessment is not intended as a direct reproach to the current ministers.
According to Michel, the primary obstacle facing the Arizona government is the fiscal legacy of its predecessor, the “Vivaldi” coalition. He argued that the Vivaldi government was a “lousy government for the country,” claiming that its management of public finances has severely restricted the current administration’s ability to act.
“The impact of the reforms will probably be more minor than that of the reforms of the Swedish government,” Michel explained. “Because there is not the same room for maneuver. We see not their fault; it is because the Vivaldi emptied the coffers.”
The Paradox of the Mouvement Réformateur
Michel’s critique of the Vivaldi coalition presents a complex political paradox. The Mouvement Réformateur (MR), the liberal party to which Michel belongs, was a constituent member of the Vivaldi government. The MR remains a key pillar of the current Arizona coalition.
This overlap means that the party Michel represents was involved in the very fiscal decisions he now describes as having “emptied the coffers.” The tension between the party’s role in the Vivaldi administration and its current goals in the Arizona government highlights the ongoing struggle within Belgian politics to balance social spending with the liberal demand for fiscal austerity and structural reform.
To understand the evolution of these administrations, it is helpful to look at the composition and nature of the three coalitions mentioned:
| Coalition Name | Key Characteristic | Michel’s Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Swedish | Liberal-led, focused on structural reform | “Absolutely historic” magnitude |
| Vivaldi | Seven-party “rainbow” coalition | “Bad government” that limited fiscal space |
| Arizona | Current right-center administration | Limited room for maneuver |
From European Diplomacy to International Arbitration
The transition from the European Council to a law firm in Paris represents a significant shift in focus. As President of the European Council from 2019 to 2023, Michel was responsible for coordinating the EU’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the initial geopolitical shock of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
By joining Clay, a firm specializing in international arbitration, Michel is moving into a field that requires the same high-level negotiation skills used in diplomacy but applies them to private legal disputes. His new consultancy in Brussels will likely bridge the gap between these two worlds, offering strategic advice to clients navigating the intersection of law, policy, and European governance.
For observers of Belgian politics, Michel’s distance from the daily fray of the Arizona government’s negotiations allows him to speak with a level of candor rarely seen from active party members. His assessment suggests that while the political will for reform may exist in the current government, the mathematical reality of the national budget may prove to be the deciding factor.
Disclaimer: This article discusses legal career transitions and political assessments; it does not constitute legal or financial advice.
The Belgian government is expected to release its next series of budgetary updates and reform targets in the coming months, which will provide the first concrete evidence of whether the Arizona coalition can overcome the fiscal constraints cited by Michel.
We invite you to share your thoughts on the current state of Belgian reforms in the comments below.
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