As Belgium reflects on the past 12 months it becomes clear that the period of relative calm that many wished for – in which daily life is not rocked by economic and geopolitical tensions – remains far off. If anything, 2023 has been the year in which we have come to accept instability as the norm, and are coming to terms with how to live with it.
To highlight the uncertainty that has dominated, new words are being added to the lexicon, widespread in everyday parlance and the media babble alike. Word of the Year for Flanders was graaiflatie (greedflation), a term applied to the practice of raising prices despite the cost of raw materials falling.
Among the country's francophone contingent, bombe climatique (climate bomb) refers directly to the impending environmental calamity that becomes less escapable each year – not that efforts have been especially earnest.
And whilst Belgian residents can count themselves among the most fortunate of the global population – spared the bloody conflicts unravelling on Europe's peripheries and beyond – it wasn't all plain sailing. Not least with the weather keeping emergency services poised to respond to storms, floods, and heatwaves.
To put it all into perspective, let us cast our minds back to observe the tumultuous twelve months that have made 2023 memorable.
Qatargate
With the first arrests carried out 9 December 2022, the biggest scandal to ever hit the European institutions was in full swing come January 2023, as the extent of corruption was being exposed. Suitcases stuffed with cash, blackmail and backstabbing, and even a cannabis venture on the side have made this an enthralling tale with serious reputational damage for the EU.
The story centres on a network of elected officials who accepted bribes in return for lobbying on behalf of Qatar, Morocco and Mauritania. The protagonists were Italian MEP Antonio Panzeri – ringleader turned police informant; Belgian MEP Marc Tarabella and Italian MEP Andrea Cozzolino – both suspected of cash-for-influence involvement; and Greek MEP Eva Kaili and her husband Francesco Giorgi – Brussels' answer to Bonnie and Clyde.
The EU’s response to clamp down on corruption has been meagre, pledging to bring in many new reforms – most of which remain unimplemented.
And Europeans have noticed. In March, 60% of citizens said they were not satisfied with the bloc's efforts to fight corruption, a huge rise (+12%) from the last poll in 2019. MEP Daniel Freund told The Brussels Times: "I can understand... We are six months after the biggest scandal the EU institutions have ever seen and very little has happened since then."
'Nothing ever happens': EU not doing enough to tackle corruption, poll shows
by Ugo Realfonzo – Wednesday, 7 June 2023
Olivier Vandecasteele
On a more positive note, Belgian humanitarian worker Olivier Vandecasteele was freed in May having been detained by Iran for over a year on trumped-up espionage charges. Sentenced to 40 years in prison, 74 lashes and a $1 million fine, Belgium underwent a remarkable negotiation process, managing to secure the release of several other Europeans in the bargain.
Energy and industry
Concerns about energy supply have permeated all levels of society, with households and businesses starting the year facing the biggest gas and electricity bills they had ever seen. At great cost, the government was forced to intervene with measures that softened the blow but at the same time, fossil fuel companies posted record profits.
The episode proved the need to take structural steps to address a fragile supply and Belgium has since made efforts to assert control over its own energy provision. Central to this has been the question of nuclear: a long-contested element of the national energy mix that might be the only way to protect Belgium's prosperity against future crises.
Europe's green future depends on saving the energy debate from a 'dogmatic sect'
by Orlando Whitehead – Monday, 27 November 2023
War from Kyiv to Gaza
February brought the inauspicious one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with the conflict becoming increasingly entrenched. The Russian assault has failed to break Ukrainian spirit but counter-attacks have been hampered by a lack of reservists and munitions, despite EU commitments to arm the invaded nation.
The most dramatic turn came in June when the Russian mercenary Wagner Group carried out a shock mutiny, marching on Moscow before calling off the coup hours later. The challenge to Vladimir Putin's hegemony could surely not be tolerated and three months later, the leader of the rebel group Yevgeny Prigozhin died as his private jet "crashed"...
Whilst the EU as a whole has been unwavering in its support to Ukraine, it was more divided as regards the Israel-Hamas war following Israel’s massive military offensive against Hamas in response to the atrocities it committed at its surprise terror attack on 7 October.
After visiting Israel, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed EU’s solidarity with Israel and drew a parallel with Ukraine’s war of defense against Russia’s aggression – a comparison which was out of step with the views of many Europeans.
Belgian leadership
Often teased for the diversity of views that fragment national politics, Belgium stood out on the world stage as Prime Minister Alexander De Croo led calls for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, spurred on by Israel’s ferocious military campaign which comes at enormous human cost.
In a trip to the Middle East which sparked a diplomatic row with Israel, the Belgian premier stood alongside Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to urge a sustainable ceasefire and a lasting political solution to end the violence, much to the fury of far-right Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Belgium will again be leading EU affairs as it assumes leadership during its Presidency of the Council of European Union during the first half of 2024. De Croo and Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib launched the priorities earlier this month under the slogan: Protect, Strengthen, Prepare.
Election mania
In many ways, 2023 has been the prelude to a crucial year for politics, as the Belgian presidency ends with both Belgium and the EU holding elections in June 2024.
It will be the first time that under-16s in Belgium can vote for the European Elections, lifting hopes that a younger electorate can pull Europe's political pendulum back from the far-right – which has made major gains as mainstream political parties make migration the policy to define elections. Then again, caught up in a campaign against "woke", there's a fair chance that the real threats to long-term prosperity will be overlooked.
And let it not be thought that Belgian politics is any less susceptible to scandal than the EU, though the stakes are more local. The past year saw some of the country's foremost political figures embroiled in controversy: Flemish dandy Conner Rousseau hit headlines after failing to keep quiet his discriminatory comments about the Roma community; "Pipigate" proved the undoing of Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne for disrespect to police property; and Brussels Secretary of State Pascal Smet found himself in uncomfortably hot water after welcoming Iranian and Russian delegations to a grand summit.
These are just three of the noteworthy departures from office, though Belgian politics is a lifelong game so don't be surprised if they make a comeback.
Life in Belgium
If political affairs have had us rolling our eyes and gnashing teeth in frustration, Belgium is a perpetual source of divertissement – gifting us those precious moments that show us hope may not be lost and perhaps there's more to life than the doom and gloom that dictates the global discussion.
Certainly, there's comfort to be found closer to home and this small territory nestled at the heart of Europe makes sure to provide cheer and good company to those who look for it. Sure, it can be perplexing at times and at others seemingly nonsensical but the wealth of tradition, food, beer, and a rich cultural offering make Belgium a land of optimism and marvel.
We want to thank our readers and subscribers for spending another year with The Brussels Times. Our work in reporting about Brussels, Belgium and beyond would not be possible without you. Roll on 2024.
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