Belgian gov't to tighten oversight, likely cut payments to royal family following scandal
BRUSSELS - The Belgian government plans to speed up reforms and likely limit financial support to the royal family after it rebuked Queen Fabiola for setting up a special inheritance system widely seen as a tax dodge.
Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo said Friday he planned to change the system by which the royals get some €15 million ($20 million) a year to fulfil their functions, and force them to show what the funds are spent on.
Di Rupo said he wanted "more transparency, so that we are aware of how the stipends of the royal family are handled."
The 84-year-old Fabiola is the widow of King Baudouin, who died in 1993. His brother, King Albert II, is now on the throne.
