Federal Mobility Minister Jean-Luc Crucke reiterated on Wednesday the EU public procurement rules in the SNCB’s acquisition of rolling stock, amid growing criticism about the contract.
Belgium's public railway operator has been criticised for having chosen a Spanish company for a new contract, despite the availability of a Belgian one.
Crucke (Les Engagés) pointed out that the procedure is not yet complete and that appeals are still possible.
The Belgian railway company is poised to award this "contract of the century" to the Spanish firm CAF, despite Alstom Benelux, which has production sites in Charleroi and Bruges, also being a contender.
The head of the Belgian-based manufacturer and other politicians have led the criticisms.
"The contract has not yet been formally awarded to CAF. At this stage, CAF is the preferred bidder, and the final award will only occur after the completion of the last procedural phase. Any company questioning the procedure’s legality can lodge an appeal under the legal framework," the new minister said in a statement.
Minister of Climate and Mobility Jean-Luc Crucke arrives for a Minister's council meeting of the Federal Government, in Brussels, Friday 07 February 2025. Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
In the morning, SNCB highlighted the rules they must follow when awarding public procurement contracts, which they claim do not allow for consideration of local employment. The minister reiterated these rules while acknowledging concerns about the local economic impact of public contracts.
"A debate must take place, particularly at the European level, on evolving public procurement rules to incorporate criteria that consider local economic impacts, industrial development, and employment. However, such evolution would require adapting the legislative framework in line with current European directives," he argued.
Crucke asserted that he will ensure strict compliance with public procurement regulations while remaining open to discussions and proposals aimed at balancing market openness with national and European strategic interests.
To address political criticism, including from the Mayor of Charleroi, Thomas Dermine (PS), the minister of Les Engagés further emphasised that the decision to select CAF as the preferred bidder was unanimously made by the SNCB’s board of directors, including those representing political parties. He also reminded that the procedure was initiated by the previous government.
