Sander Loones new Minister of Defence

Sander Loones was sworn in today as the Minister of Defence, in charge of the Civil Service. He succeeds Steven Vandeput, who is taking on the position of mayor in Hasselt. Last week, the party council approved the nomination of Sander Loones by an overwhelming majority. Although it is only a few months until the elections, Minister Loones is showing ambition. “I like to see myself as a minister of people who are committed and do their utmost. While I do have plans, I won’t make any major statements in the matter just now - I first want to have some consultations backstage.”

Sander Loones, 39, has been a MEP and national N-VA Vice-Chairman since 2014. Prior to this, he was closely involved in the federal government negotiations as coordinator of the research department. Sander Loones began his career as a lawyer specialising in administrative law, after which he worked as a legal adviser for the Immigration Office and as a consultant for PwC. In 2011, Bart De Wever asked him to expand the N-VA’s research department. During the long period of current affairs in 2011-2012, he along with Theo Francken secured the abolition of the accelerated Belgian naturalisation law - the “Snelbelgwet” - and tightened up the rules regarding family reunification.

Sander is a true West Fleming: a hard worker with not much show but plenty of go. He masters the coalition agreement in detail. Sander also knows the federal civil service inside out and, thanks to his work in the European Parliament, he is also well acquainted with the international dimension and has a wide network. He will be able to apply all this experience and knowledge very effectively to his new position.