News

Defence launches the Ammunition Readiness Plan 2025: putting an end to chronic ammunition shortages

18 July 2025

The federal government has given the green light to the Ammunition Readiness Plan 2025—a multi-year strategy enabling Defence to catch up on a historic backlog and end persistent shortages in ammunition stockpiles. Minister Theo Francken stated: “With this plan, we’re finally putting an end to the …

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Time limit on unemployment benefits officially approved in parliament

18 July 2025
La Chambre

Late Thursday night, the federal parliament finally gave the green light to the program act. This means a long list of socio-economic reforms can now be fully implemented. The centerpiece of the act is the decision to limit unemployment benefits to a maximum of two years. “Work must and will pay …

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Kristien Van Vaerenbergh: “Let couples marry where their hearts are”

17 July 2025

Couples who wish to marry in a place that truly means something to them should soon have the opportunity to do so. MP Kristien Van Vaerenbergh has submitted a bill to allow weddings to take place outside one’s official municipality of residence. “A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event. You should …

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Sophie De Wit: “Knife violence in Brussels is on the rise”

16 July 2025
Sophie De Wit

Figures obtained by MP Sophie De Wit reveal that the number of stabbing incidents in Brussels rose from 122 in 2019 to 185 in 2023—a surge of over 50 percent. The capital thus remains the undisputed leader in knife-related violence. “The normalization of carrying knives is a dangerous trend we …

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First Griffon rolls of the production line: "Industrial work on Belgian soil"

16 July 2025
Theo Francken

“Today marks an important day for Defence. The first Griffon is ready, marking the beginning of a new generation of vehicles for our land component,” said Minister of Defence Theo Francken during the unveiling at MOL CY in Staden. This milestone not only symbolizes the modernization of the Belgian …

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Peter Buysrogge: “After years of stagnation, air defence is finally on the way”

16 July 2025
Peter Buysrogge

Member of Parliament and Chair of the Defence Committee Peter Buysrogge questioned Defence Minister Theo Francken today about the rebuilding of Belgium’s air defence. The minister was clear: everything is being done to ensure the first air defence systems are ordered before the end of the year …

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