Sander Loones to Europe for the N-VA

Sander Loones has been officially appointed as a Member of the European Parliament for the N-VA. He is replacing Johan Van Overtveldt, who has become Minister of Finances in the new federal government. Sander Loones wants to anchor the line that has been set out by the new Flemish and federal government in Europe as well. “That means: intelligent cutbacks and structural reforms in order to grow more strongly. This is the only way we can secure our welfare and our social model.”

Sander Loones (35) is the son of former N-VA Member of Parliament Jan Loones. He studied law at the KU Leuven before starting work at the research department of the federal Immigration Service, where he focused on asylum and migration policy. After a stint as consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), he joined the N-VA.

As coordinator of the N-VA research department, Sander Loones was one of the driving forces behind the preparations for the content of the historical Confederalism If we want to make structural changes, then we have to change the structures. Confederalism is the structural change that this country needs. The basic principle of confederalism is that Flanders and Wallonia are the owners of all powers. They exercise these themselves, but can also make decisions together and manage certain powers together at the confederal level, in both of their interests. This completely reverses the logic. Instead of transferring federal powers to Flanders and Wallonia, these powers can be transferred to the confederal level. Forced cooperation is replaced by voluntary cooperation. Must becomes will. Dismantling from above becomes building up from below. Confederalism is therefore deciding together on what we want to do together. confederalism conference and the electoral campaign of 2014. In the federal governmental negotiations, he supported the N-VA negotiators behind the screens with technical advice.

Eurorealism The N-VA opts for a realistic, feasible approach to the European project. That eurorealism is translated into a Europe that is strong where necessary, in order to achieve results that are tangible and specific to its own citizens. The European cooperation must also have a sufficiently democratic platform among the residents of the Member States. This is why the N-VA advocates for constant, critical reflection and is opposed to the pipe dream of a European super state. Eurorealism
As a European Fleming, Sander Loones opts for a Eurorealist story with a Europe that is strong where needed. The European Union is being confronted by extremely major challenges: “The economic structures of various EU Member States have greatly exceeded their shelf-life. We must have the courage to opt for less waste and consequently for a stricter system that emphasises the recovery of Competitiveness The extent to which companies in one country can compete with similar companies in another country. A law came into force in Belgium in 1996 to monitor competitiveness. This stipulates that Belgian salaries may not evolve faster than the average of those in the three neighbouring countries. The Central Economic Council (CEC) performs an annual measurement to see if the objectives have been obtained. competitiveness , investments that create jobs, and real structural measures. And to do so without raising taxes.”

“Only when every citizen and every government take up their responsibility can we make real structural changes. Among other things that means that every Member State actually implements the recommendations made by and with the EU. The time for delays and cancellations belongs to the past,” Sander Loones concludes.