N-VA will nominate Sander Loones as the new Minister of Defence, in charge of the Civil Service

Sander Loones, from Koksijde-Oostduinkerke, will be nominated by N-VA Chairman Bart De Wever as the new Minister of Defence, in charge of the Civil Service. “Sander is a true West Fleming: a hard worker with not much show but plenty of go. In the government formation of 2014, he was one of our most important negotiators behind the scenes and, as the national N-VA Vice-Chairman, he is following the work of the government closely. This makes him the perfect man to continue Steven Vandeput’s work.”

Sander Loones, 39, has been a MEP and national N-VA Vice-Chairman since 2014. Prior to this, he was closely involved in the federal government negotiations as coordinator of the research department. Sander Loones began his career as a lawyer specialising in administrative law, after which he worked as a legal adviser for the Immigration Office and as a consultant for PwC. In 2011, Bart De Wever asked him to expand the N-VA’s research department. During the long period of current affairs in 2011-2012, he along with Theo Francken secured the abolition of the accelerated Belgian naturalisation law - the “Snelbelgwet” - and tightened up the rules regarding family reunification.

Sander Loones was born and raised on the Flemish coast. He lived and worked in and around Brussels and Dilbeek for several years, before moving back to his home town of Oostduinkerke in 2015 with his wife Ilse and their three children. “Sander is a true West Fleming: a hard worker with not much show but plenty of go. He masters the coalition agreement in detail. Sander also knows the federal civil service inside out and, thanks to his work in the European Parliament, he is also well acquainted with the international dimension and has a wide network. He will be able to apply all this experience and knowledge very effectively to his new position,” says Bart De Wever.

As from mid-November, Steven Vandeput will be preparing for his position of Mayor of Hasselt. Bart De Wever: “Our armed forces have made enormous efforts in recent years, both in the fight against IS and to promote security here at home. Steven Vandeput has ensured that investments are once again being made in a modern and strong army and that we will remain a reliable partner for our international allies. A great deal of work has also already been done on the new Staff Regulations of Officials. Sander will soon be on top of those files; he is the perfect man to continue Steven’s work.”