Vlaams Belang has criticised the Easter agreement finalised by the federal government on Friday evening, calling it “a big smokescreen” and “a blueprint for the Vivaldi coalition’s failures.”
According to this far-right party, there is confusion over how defence expenditure will reach 2% of GDP this year. The party claims the government uses “camouflage techniques,” dressing up existing expenses as defence spending. “Of the frozen Russian assets, worth €1.2 billion this year, €1 billion has already been given to Ukraine,” stated Vlaams Belang MP Wouter Vermeersch in a press release. “There is almost nothing left,” he added. There is also uncertainty regarding the defence budget’s funding.
“There’s a lot of talk about equipment, personnel, and infrastructure, but there is still no clarity on how this will be paid for,” said MP Annick Ponthier. “Time is ticking, and the country’s vulnerability is increasing by the minute.”
Additionally, Vlaams Belang predicts the pension reform will be “fragmentary again” and another “missed opportunity,” according to MP Ellen Samyn. Marijke Dillen sees extra justice funding as positive but questions whether there will be enough budget and whether it will be used for the right needs. Francesca Van Belleghem believes decisions on asylum and migration are far from sufficient.
“The measures in this Easter agreement will likely be too little, too late,” concluded parliamentary leader Barbara Pas, adding it appears to continue the Vivaldi coalition’s disregard for citizens’ protection and safety.
