News

Government aims to relaunch Belgica II in 2026

1 July 2025

If all goes according to plan, the research vessel Belgica II will make its long-awaited comeback after the summer, according to Defence Minister Theo Francken. After months of legal gridlock in the port of Zeebrugge, the Ministry of Defence and BELSPO – Belgium’s Federal Science Policy Office – …

Capital gains tax agreement: “Limited impact for the average saver”

30 June 2025

The federal government has reached an agreement on a capital gains tax on financial profits, as outlined in the Arizona coalition’s policy agreement. The new tax will take effect on January 1, 2026. “We’re asking those with the broadest shoulders to make a fair contribution to help improve the …

Gilles Verstraeten heads to banned Budapest Pride: “Don’t let them silence you”

27 June 2025

Gilles Verstraeten, leader of the liberal group in the Brussels Parliament, is heading to Budapest this weekend to take part in the Pride march—despite an official ban by the Hungarian authorities. “This is a fundamental fight we must face together, across all ideological divides,” he says. A …

Government donates minesweeper to Ukraine: “A powerful signal of international solidarity”

27 June 2025

In a solemn ceremony held in Zeebrugge, the federal government officially handed over the minesweeper Narcis to Ukraine. At the same time, the Netherlands donated its sister ship, Vlaardingen. Together, the two naval vessels form the core of a joint effort to strengthen Ukraine’s navy. Belgian …

Theo Francken: "Europe’s deference to the US is partly our own doing"

26 June 2025

Following the NATO summit in The Hague, Europe is once again standing shoulder to shoulder with the United States. Defence Minister Theo Francken looked back on the past few days in an interview with VTM Nieuws. “As long as we remain weak, we need the US,” Francken said. “If we could defend …

Agreement on €34 billion defence investment: “Belgium is once again a reliable NATO partner”

25 June 2025

The federal government has reached a preliminary agreement on its defence strategy – the so-called Strategic Vision 2026–2034. “It’s a historic plan, with €34 billion in investments,” Defence Minister Theo Francken explained on De Ochtend. “This will allow us to rebuild our military strength. We’re …

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