Charles Michel (39) has led Belgium's federal government since October 2014 as the country's youngest prime minister ever | Laurie Dieffembacq/AFP via Getty Union strike marks Michel’s first year in office The Belgian transport strike takes aim at the prime minister and his ruling coalition.

The Belgian unions have a birthday gift for their government.

Brussels' traffic and businesses will be blocked, public transport (partially) abandoned and angry union members will be marching through the streets of Brussels Wednesday as the federal government nears its first year in office.

The unions have the ruling coalition in their crosshairs, protesting cuts and austerity reforms that, according to them, hit the poor hard and keep the rich untouched.

It's Belgium's new political reality, in which the left-right divide has grown over the past year.

Since Prime Minister Charles Michel and his coalition took office in October 2014, the federal administration dubbed "Michel I" has abandoned the traditional center. The connective tissue that keeps its four member parties bound together is one of center-right to rightist economic reforms aimed at keeping the country competitive, installing budgetary discipline and boosting jobs.

Michel and his allies argue that their strategy has worked.

Michel I has succeeded because...

First of all, the Belgian government is still in government. For the world record holder in not having a working government, that's something. But for this coalition specifically, it's considered a victory: the coalition was dubbed the "Kamikaze coalition" at its very start — bound to self-destruct.

The ties that keep the parties together has proven strong. For the Reformist Movement (MR), this is their chance to govern without the French-speaking Socialist party. For the Flemish-nationalist N-VA, it is an opportunity to prove they are worthy of governing.

This odd couple, together with the Flemish Liberals and Christian-Democrats, has kick-started certain reforms in the course of the past year. Most importantly, it has reached agreement on a key promise: the so-called tax shift.

"The government is lowering taxation on labor. They compensate this with taxation of consumption, as well as cuts in government expenses," said economist and commentator Gert Peersman. Michel reached an agreement of principle on this issue — it counts as his main achievement for year one.

The coalition passed a number of other socio-economic measures. Belgians will have to work until the age of 67, part of a pensions reform package agreed on in the first year. Reforms also including a stricter control over who gets unemployment benefits, and a deal on the indexation of incomes.

"This government is clearly closer to business representatives — and business representatives are pleased with its work," said Dave Sinardet, a professor and political commentator.

"Michel's personal achievement, strangely, is to build consensus amongst the three Flemish parties in government" — Dave Sinardet

Michel, as leader, has kept a low profile throughout the year. The prime minister — at 39, the youngest Belgium has ever had — leaves the initiative up to his ministers, claiming a behind-the-scenes role as power broker. "His personal achievement, strangely, is to build consensus with the three Flemish parties in government," said Sinardet.

Michel I has failed because...

One criticism haunting the Prime Minister is clear: While all these measures aimed to spur economic growth, Belgium now counts 37.800 more unemployed — not less — compared to a year ago. Still, "you can't expect results in the first year, and there are so many factors influencing [if new jobs are created]," said Peersman.

And while economic reforms were put in motion, the nitty-gritty details remain on the table in coming years.

The reforms on taxation were limited, said Peersman: "It's been announced as the big shift. But if this is it, it's too little." Lower-wage workers in particular won't experience much change, he argued, while it's this group that suffers most from the high labor costs the country has struggled with for years.

On pensions, too, the coalition partners still need to bash out the details on how to keep people in their jobs. "A lot will depend on how they'll make this happen," said Peersman.

A big concern of business and civil society alike is whether the government will have the means to invest in growth, after its series of budget cuts.

And while Michel I has achieved some economic reforms, it has also spurred a different effect: organizing its opposition. The unions that gather in Brussels Wednesday have united in their opposition.

A broader civil society movement has also gained traction in Belgium, called "Heart over Hard," focusing on the citizens' response to the "neo-liberal" politics. "If it wasn't for this government's plans, the movement wouldn't have taken off this quickly," said Wouter Hillaert, driving force behind the initiative.