Brussels continues to squander money through the Beliris Fund: “Carpet trade”

Late last week, the federal and Brussels governments reached an agreement to invest an additional EUR 279 million in Brussels in 2023 and 2024 through the Beliris Fund. This money will be used to start up 15 new investment projects, among other things. That decision meets with little sympathy from the N-VA. Brussels N-VA group leader Cieltje Van Achter denounces the spending frenzy in tough budgetary times.

“The federal and Brussels governments have at least one thing in common: they have run out of money,” Van Achter responds. “In fact, we have to think twice about spending every euro, also if it comes from the Beliris Fund. However, the government is doing the exact opposite. At the first opportunity that arises, 15 new investment projects are started. And that is while major Brussels projects, such as Metro Line 3, are in jeopardy because of a lack of money!”

Money for the metro line goes to small local projects

Van Achter questioned budget minister Sven Gatz (Open Vld party) in the Brussels Parliament on Monday about the new Beliris projects. “The Beliris Fund was set up to finance infrastructure and mobility projects that promote the international and capital city role of Brussels. The metro fits perfectly within that objective. Yet much of the more than EUR 125 million a year invariably goes to all kinds of small local projects. That is not what Beliris is for at all,” Van Achter argues. “Over the past year, Minister Gatz has repeatedly stated in the media that he shares my opinion: Beliris money must go above all to the metro. Today, those turn out to be empty words. Big promises are made in the press. In reality, the carpet trade of small Beliris projects continues.”