Sander Loones: “Reforming Belgium is becoming increasingly difficult”

“We are reaching a point where we can keep trying to reform the system from within, but it is becoming increasingly difficult. The next step must be to reform the system itself.” Speaking on Radio 1’s De Ochtend, Flemish MP Sander Loones echoed the call made by Jong N-VA, our youth wing, which earlier this week called for a new round of state reform.

Two sides of the same coin

Loones stressed that putting the country’s finances back on a sound footing and pursuing greater autonomy go hand in hand. “For us, these are not two separate issues, but two sides of the same coin,” Loones said. “Whenever we talk about the budget, there is inevitably an institutional dimension to the debate as well.”

According to Loones, the N-VA represents a new generation within the Flemish movement, one that takes a rational view of the situation. “We are prepared to take responsibility and deliver serious reforms, as Bart De Wever is doing. But we need to be able to see those reforms through. And that is what this government is doing on the labour market and migration, and hopefully soon on nuclear energy as well. But there is only so far you can stretch things. Major reforms at Belgian level are proving extremely difficult, not least because we are dealing with a five-party coalition.”

Loones believes Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s position can help win over the other part of the country. “French-speaking Belgians often think we are anti-Walloon, but they are now getting to know a prime minister who genuinely cares about preserving our welfare state. They are seeing that he can be trusted and that his policies benefit them too.”

Transfer all investment-related powers to Flanders

More specifically, Loones is calling for all powers that require targeted investment to be transferred to Flanders.

“The federal level is primarily about solidarity and redistribution, as is the case with Social security Social security is currently managed at the Federal level in Belgium. The most important pillars of Belgian social security are: sickness and invalidity insurance (NIDHI), pensions, unemployment insurance and child allowances. In addition, occupational illness, occupational accidents and annual holidays are dealt with at this level. Some Flemish parties have been campaigning for years for (large parts of) social security to be transferred to the Regions and Communities. social security ,” Loones explained. “Flanders, meanwhile, is responsible for the real investment-related powers: research, development and education. A number of areas have remained stuck between the two levels, such as the SNCB, the police and justice system, and nuclear energy. These are also investment-related powers that would be better placed at Flemish level. That would create coherent sets of powers, more efficient government, fewer structures and less politics.”

Loones points to the energy transition as an example: “Flanders is already responsible for renewable energy and new forms of energy. It would make far more sense to add nuclear energy to those responsibilities and bring everything together under one roof,” he concluded.