Ministers reach agreements on defence strategy, home searches and social benefits
On Friday, the council of ministers approved several dossiers, including the strategic vision for defence. Minister for asylum and migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt presented an agreement on home searches at people who are staying in Belgium illegally and pose a threat to public order or national security. The government is also limiting the accumulation of social benefits within a household.
Belgium's core cabinet, consisting of the prime minister and deputy prime ministers, discussed all night on a series of important issues before the summer recess, hoping to reach a “summer agreement” on Friday morning, but that did not happen. The plan is to continue negotiations over the coming days. The council of ministers, with all federal ministers, could however present some important decisions.
The federal government approved amongst others the strategic vision for defence. An important part is the purchase of 11 additional F-35 fighter jets. These are produced in Italy and will generate a very large economic return for the Belgian economy, emphasised defence minister Theo Francken after the council of ministers meeting.
The government also approved the “Ammunition Readiness Plan 2025”, a multi-year plan that will enable the ministry of defence to put an end to structural shortages in ammunition stocks. “The war in Ukraine shows that ammunition consumption is immense, which is why we need to enter into strategic partnerships with manufacturers to keep production lines operational,” said minister Francken.
“The war in Ukraine shows that ammunition consumption is immense"
The plan, which provides for an initial investment of 2.3 billion euros this year, covers a wide range of ammunition types and weapon capabilities. These include 155mm artillery ammunition, as well as mortar shells and anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles for the land forces. Various missiles will be purchased for the navy to counter threats in the air, on land, on water and underwater. For the air component, the plan provides for the purchase of various types of guided missiles, tailored to both air defence and precision strikes from a distance. For the first time, investments will also be made in cruise missile capacity with the Joint Strike Missile (JSM).
House searches
The federal government also reached an agreement on house searches at people who are staying in Belgium illegally and pose a threat to public order or national security. This is an issue that has been dragging on for years. The new draft law provides a legal framework in which the police, together with the Immigration Office, can enter a home with the permission of an investigating judge to administratively detain someone.
In practice, it is currently often difficult for the police and the Immigration Office to arrest certain individuals, precisely because they can evade detection for long periods of time by hiding in a home. By removing this legal barrier, these services should be able to act more efficiently in situations where public order or national security is at risk.
"Those who threaten our security have no place here"
“Anyone who is staying in our country illegally, poses a danger to society and stubbornly refuses to cooperate cannot continue to hide behind their front door,” said minister for asylum and migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt. "In such cases, our services must be able to intervene. Those who threaten our security have no place here." It is up to the investigating judge to assess whether there is a danger, she added.
Accumulation of social benefits
The council of ministers also approved a draft law that limits the accumulation of social benefits, such as multiple living wages within a household. Currently, living wages for cohabiting adults can be combined without restriction. Some families with several adults living under one roof thus receive generous social benefits.
"The system must remain affordable and fair"
“We found that this sometimes resulted in very high amounts being paid out, which completely defeated the purpose of living wages,” said minister Van Bossuyt, who mentioned amounts of up to 6,000 euros. "Social assistance is intended to support people in need, but the system must also remain affordable and fair. We are closing loopholes, because it is unacceptable that people who do not work are better off financially than those who do their best every day in the labour market."
Belgian defence minister Theo Francken © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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