De Wever puts EU competitiveness at centre after first year as PM

Belgian prime minister Bart De Wever has used the anniversary of his first year in office to push for stronger European economic cooperation and higher competitiveness.

Speaking at the launch of his book Over Welvaart (On Prosperity), he said his focus was on results, not personal satisfaction. “Whether I enjoy the job is irrelevant,” he said. “What matters is that we are moving in the right direction.”

His government has limited unemployment benefits and begun pension reforms as part of efforts to control public spending. He warned that budget repairs are “far from finished”.

With major EU industry meetings taking place soon in Antwerp and Alden Biesen, De Wever is calling for deeper integration, a stronger defence industry and wider free trade deals. He argues that Europe must act together to compete with the US and China in what he calls an “age of empires”.

A key part of his plan is closer cooperation between Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. He says stronger links between ports, labour markets and infrastructure could turn the Benelux into a major economic hub.

He also wants closer ties with regions such as Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia, creating a regional bloc to balance French influence inside the EU.

De Wever criticised France’s leading role in major industrial projects, including plans for a future European fighter jet. “That is not the Europe I dream of,” he said. He called for more shared decision-making.

^{Belgian prime minister Bart De Wever presents his new book 'Over welvaart' in Affligem © BELGA PHOTO MARIUS BURGELMAN}