News

Asylum applications down by nearly a third since Minister Van Bossuyt’s crisis policy

14 January 2026

At the start of the year, Belgium was bracing for up to 50,000 asylum applications. In the end, the number stopped at 34,439. That’s according to figures from the Immigration Office. “Belgium’s days as a top destination for asylum seekers are over,” says Minister of Asylum and Migration Nicole Van …

Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt cracks down on abuse: no more return support for Brazilians

11 January 2026

Belgian Minister for Asylum and Migration, Anneleen Van Bossuyt, has decided to halt reintegration support for Brazilian nationals, citing clear signs of abuse of the system. “Voluntary return and reintegration are valuable tools—but not for people looking to exploit them for financial gain. The …

Valerie Van Peel at New Year’s reception: “We choose a society that is truly social—not one that merely sounds like it.”

11 January 2026

With heartfelt conviction, newly appointed party president Valerie Van Peel addressed the N-VA family for the very first time at the annual New Year’s reception. In the year the party celebrates its 25th anniversary, her message was clearer than ever: the N-VA is turning the power of change into …

Theo Francken: “America alone—that’s the fall of an empire”

9 January 2026

In the Terzake studio, Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken offered a candid take on the state of international security—from the interception of Russian tankers off the coast of Scotland to mounting diplomatic tensions over Greenland. “The only one drinking champagne right now is Vladimir Putin …

Valerie Van Peel: “We must stop keeping people dependent”

6 January 2026

Party chair Valerie Van Peel appeared on De Afspraak on VRT Canvas to discuss recent developments in Venezuela — including the arrest of President Maduro by the United States — but the focus of the conversation was the long-awaited reform to limit unemployment benefits over time. The New Year’s Eve …

Bart De Wever: “We need to stand our ground in times like these”

1 January 2026

Following his – somewhat ironically – being named Belgian of the Year, Prime Minister Bart De Wever appeared on VTM News, where he reflected on his transformation from firebrand outsider to a pragmatic statesman who recognises the value of political compromise: “The alternative is to step aside and …

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