No. 64 OctoberNo. 20202 June 2011 What can the EU expect from the new Belgian government? 1 Benjamin Bodson applicable to all Member States – for example, the agreement’s confirmation that Belgium will 2 The political agreement that made the respect its obligations under EU law. new Belgian federal government possible mentions Europe nearly 130 times in an Does the agreement contain any surprises? Not intentional emphasis. The fact that new really. There will be no revolution in Belgian prime minister Alexander de Croo foreign policy. More precisely, we are witnessing presented his government’s programme in the European Parliament – the very a return to a more traditional Belgian politics that heart of the Brussels universe – was dented by the years when the country was co- constitutes an almost subliminal ruled by the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), the message in line with the content of the euroscepticism of whom was increasingly agreement: his government desires to be evident. The composition of the new government resolutely pro-European. itself (socialists, liberals, greens and Flemish Christian democrats) aims for the centre and thus encourages this return of a traditional Belgian attitude towards the European project. The new government hopes ‘that Belgium, faithful to its The general message is clear from the first pages: history, will continue to build bridges and to Belgium will be – again, in some respects – a good actively seek a new European consensus.’ On student of European integration, a driving force more than one count, the text reflects the behind an ever closer Union. The government discourse of the State of the Union given by the thus explicitly insists on the ‘pro-European president of the European Commission, Ursula engagement’ of Belgium and ‘opts resolutely for von der Leyen, on 16 September 2000. The latter a firm, pro-European attitude.’ As the agreement certainly views the arrival of this government in a reminds us, ‘a small, open economy’ like Belgium positive light. This is fortunate, especially when can find its salvation only in the embrace of the one knows that the first drafts of the agreement EU. The message gets through, even, it’s true, if were apparently less ambitious. it sometimes means mentioning certain elements that were once commonplace but are no longer EGMONT Royal Institute for International Relations The analysis that follows endeavours to At the social level, the new government intends summarise the European dimension of the to support the Commission in the initiative aimed agreement. It is simply an overview. at guaranteeing a minimum wage in the EU – welcome support for the Commission when we WHAT DOES THE AGREEMENT SAY? know that the question does not fall within the EU’s domain of competences and that whatever As previously stated, the text of the discourse on progress can be made in this area cannot be the State of the Union was certainly on the reached without the voluntary collaboration of negotiating table. Between the preservation and Member States. The new government will the reinforcement of the Schengen rules, the furthermore continue to ‘actively’ support the creation of own resources, respect for the rule of development of the permanent European law (and conditionality in the granting of Unemployment Benefit Scheme currently under European funds), support for Commission discussion, as well as ‘the initiatives concerning initiatives to deal with the pandemic and its the European guarantee for infants and the consequences and so on, the numerous elements revised European Youth Guarantee.’ The of the agreement have plenty to delight the government will not fail, furthermore, to invest occupants of Berlaymont. ‘actively in the development of the new European As far as the EU internal market is concerned, in Labour Authority and will support the the broad sense, the government will engage in establishment of a “social Europol” charged with deepening it. It poses European integration as a monitoring the posting of workers at European preliminary step necessary to the increase of level.’ ‘levers to control our strategic interests, our At the environmental level, the government values and the liberal and democratic norms intends to commit fully to the fulfilment of the beyond our frontiers.’ European Green Deal, notably to reach targets From a fiscal point of view, the new government for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by asks for ‘a form of taxation [...] on digital services’ 55% by the 2030 horizon and achieve climate and announces that it will take the initiative in the neutrality by 2050. The agreement thus here once discussions – already underway – at the EU level again echoes the recent speech on the State of the and at the OECD. If no agreement is found at Union. Let us also mention that the government either of these levels, Belgium will adopt its own intends to support the Commission in its strategy regimen in 2023. No longer a question of taking on plastics, notably in the ambition of the initiative but rather a ‘constructive role’ in the harmonising the rules on the material. concretisation of ‘projects of fiscal European The sixth and final focus of the agreement is harmony and cooperation between Member entitled: ‘Belgium: a strong voice in Europe and States.’ The agreement mentions the revision of the world.’ Thus, beyond the frontiers of the EU, VAT, the establishment of a common the agreement evokes Belgium’s attachment to (consolidated) base taxation for corporations, ‘robust multilateralism’ while underlining that and taxes on financial institutions ‘among others’. ‘European integration’ is the ‘most important The government positions itself, furthermore, ‘in lever’ to achieve this goal: ‘the EU [is] the best favour of revising the current tax exemption for instrument for defending Belgian interests at the kerosene’. It expresses, lastly, the hope of global level,’ to confront the ‘great challenges of ‘arriving at full monetary and fiscal union.’ our time’ and protect fundamental rights. The new government thus subscribes fully to the EU’s EGMONT Royal Institute for International Relations 2 ambitions for strategic autonomy, which will to the inclusion in these agreements of ‘high notably please the president of the European social and environmental standards’ (and human Council, Charles Michel. Following the same line rights), giving as examples the ‘fundamental of thought, the government then pleads with the norms of the International Labour Organization’, EU to ‘equip itself with a true capacity for compatibility with the Paris Agreement or ‘the scientific, industrial and military action that [allow application of OECD criteria for fiscal it] to be a significant diplomatic actor on the transparency’. The new government then warns, world stage’ and support the European Defence in a tone perhaps more threatening and taking Fund and PESCO. All this while reiterating its account of the ‘previous CETA’, that ‘Belgium attachment to NATO, which must, according to will not, therefore, accept new trade and the government, remain, ‘the cornerstone of the investment agreements except when these collective defence of Europe.’ Belgium will standards are applicable and binding.’ It seeks continue, furthermore, to plead in favour of the nevertheless to reassure by stressing that it ‘will transition from unanimity to a qualified majority be a trustworthy partner throughout the voting in the decision-making process of the ratification of trade agreements.’ As for treaties CFSP. already signed, they ‘will be presented for ratification in view of a debate in the [federal] On the question of asylum and immigration, the parliament on the basis of an impact analysis or government announces ‘a humane policy for the general interests of the Belgian economy and, people who require protection and a firm return in particular, the chapter on sustainable policy’. The government adds that ‘Belgium [will] development will be evaluated.’ It remains to be show humanity and solidarity in the case of seen what will underlie this impact analysis. situations of acute urgency overseas that require Finally, on the thorny subject of dispute the welcoming of vulnerable people.’ In other resolution that led Belgium to ask the European words, between a ‘common asylum policy for Court of Justice on the compatibility of the Europe’, an ‘equitable distribution of mechanism envisaged by CETA with EU law, the responsibilities and expenses’ at the European government confirms that Belgium will level and ‘reinforced external borders’, every contribute to the creation of a multilateral political hue will be satisfied. Defining the investment tribunal. As long as this tribunal does Belgian position in the framework of negotiations not exist, the government will ensure that future on the future European Pact on Asylum and agreements foresee ‘the creation of a tribunal for Migration will not, however, be easy – not to dispute resolution that offers substantial mention the pressure that will be exercised on guarantees concerning its independence and this government by a ferocious opposition at respect for the rule of law.’ national level on this subject. Finally, aware that Belgium is among those Given that one of the authors of the report is countries most affected in the event of an none other than Paul Magnette, who, in 2016, led absence of an agreement on the future the opposition to CETA, many observers will partnership between the EU and the UK – and have been attentive to the section