Belgian government champions tougher migration stance on European stage
Belgium’s new prime minister, Bart De Wever, has wasted no time in pushing a harder line on migration. His government is repositioning the country as a key voice in the EU’s evolving migration debate, both at home and abroad.
When De Wever was sworn in in February, following seven excruciating months of negotiations, he wasted no time in setting an assertive tone for his administration. Domestically, his priorities have centred on economic recovery, with a focus on tackling Belgium’s widening budget deficit and implementing sweeping reforms to pensions and the labour market.
These reforms have not gone unchallenged. Mass protests have erupted across the country and trade unions representing sectors from transport to education have condemned the measures as an assault on the welfare state and an erosion of workers’ rights. Demonstrations are expected to continue in the coming weeks.
Strategic priority
On the international front, De Wever has chosen migration as the linchpin of Belgium’s foreign and European policy positioning.
Keen to assert Belgium’s voice in the EU migration debate and counter the growing influence of the far-right Vlaams Belang, the prime minister appointed Anneleen Van Bossuyt, a senior figure from his own nationalist N-VA party, as minister for migration.
Van Bossuyt has moved swiftly to raise her profile since taking office. One of her first official trips took her to Moldova and was part of what she described as a “deterrence campaign” aimed at discouraging asylum seekers from making their way to Belgium.
“Belgium cannot be a destination where people settle during the winter to exploit our already strained reception and asylum system,” she said during the visit.
Although asylum applications from Moldova remain modest - around 1,000 a year - the symbolism of the trip was significant. It served as a strong signal of intent: the new Belgian government plans to adopt a much firmer stance on migration.
Safety concerns
More tellingly, Belgium has joined a growing alliance of EU countries calling for tighter migration controls and more legal autonomy in dealing with returns.
In a recent letter co-signed by De Wever and eight other leaders, the group urged a review of the European Convention on Human Rights. They argued that its current interpretation obstructs national governments’ ability to deport criminal offenders and manage migration effectively.
The signatories stressed that while human rights remain essential, the evolving global context demands a reassessment of how legal obligations align with national security and public safety concerns.
“Don’t come to Europe just because you are looking for a better future”
Van Bossuyt echoed this sentiment in a Financial Times interview. She called on the EU to use trade and visa incentives to pressure countries that refuse to take back rejected asylum seekers.
She cited the Generalised Scheme of Preferences, which offers reduced tariffs to vulnerable developing countries, and faster visa procedures as key levers. “Don’t come to Europe just because you are looking for a better future,” she said.
Tougher frameworks
Van Bossuyt has also backed a controversial European Commission proposal to allow rejected asylum seekers to be returned to “safe third countries”, or return hubs, even if they have no personal ties there.
This all indicates that the De Wever government is slowly but surely aligning itself with other right-wing European administrations pursuing tougher migration frameworks.
What’s notable, however, is the relative silence from De Wever’s coalition partner Vooruit. The centre-left Flemish party has not publicly objected to the government’s pivot on migration. For now, this silence gives De Wever a freer hand to push forward with his hardline migration agenda without major internal resistance.
© BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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