News

Compulsory community service for the long-term unemployed still taboo in Brussels

5 July 2023

On 1 January 2023, the Flemish government introduced compulsory community service to engage long-term unemployed people who have been without a job for more than two years in socially relevant tasks. The N-VA’s resolution to introduce the system in Brussels as well was voted down. Even Open Vld, …

Theo Francken: “Belgium is once again a Valhalla for mass migration”

4 July 2023

The Immigration Office (DVZ) has published its annual report for 2022. The figures show that Belgium is and remains a real magnet for migration, including through family reunification. On top of that, it appears that the return figures continue to be dramatically low. “Appalling,” says MP Theo …

Unprecedented figures after three years of the Blue Deal: 9,500 Olympic swimming pools of treated wastewater, among other things

4 July 2023

6,000 hectares of wetlands, 88 kilometres of watercourse redevelopment, 9,4 billion litres less loss through leakage, an additional 23,8 billion litres reused after treatment of wastewater, 113 hectares of infiltration, 560 weirs in agricultural areas, 4 to 8 billion litres of additional reused …

Open Vld and Groen refuse to provide bilingual services in Brussels hospitals

30 June 2023

The provision of services in the Dutch language has not been guaranteed in Brussels hospitals for decades, except for the UZ Brussels. By means of a resolution, the N-VA wants to legally enforce this bilingualism in public hospitals, recognised emergency services and medical emergency groups. The …

Agreement on nuclear power stations: “A mini extension with a huge bill for taxpayers”

29 June 2023

The federal government and Engie have finally concluded an agreement on the extension of the two newest nuclear reactors. MP Bert Wollants says it is still insufficient: “This is a mini-extension, which, moreover, burdens taxpayers with a huge bill.” Wollants: “Recent reports show that keeping …

Belgium risks missing out on EUR 4.5 billion in European recovery funding due to the failure to reform the pension system