BRUSSELS, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Belgium's newly appointed Prime Minister Bart De Wever outlined his government's priorities to parliament on Tuesday. He emphasized a shift towards stricter migration policies, a reversal of the nuclear phase-out law, and an increase in defense spending to meet NATO targets.
De Wever, a right-wing Flemish nationalist known for criticizing Belgium's French-speaking region and its socio-economic policies, has recently adopted a more conciliatory approach. He even began his speech in French, signaling a gesture of unity.
The government aims to tighten migration policies due to a significant increase in asylum applications, surpassing the country's reception capacity. De Wever stated, "To organize a more orderly and humane migration policy, it must be much stricter," indicating that family reunification processes will become more stringent.
Additionally, the new administration plans to abolish Belgium's outdated nuclear phase-out law. Energy Minister Mathieu Bihet mentioned that Belgium is exploring alternative energy strategies.
De Wever reiterated the commitment to raise defense spending to 2% of GDP by 2029 and further to 2.5% by 2034, aligning with NATO guidelines. Currently, Belgium allocates only 1.3% of its GDP to defense.
"As a NATO founding member, it is our responsibility to contribute to the protection of Western society," stated De Wever, who swiftly attended a NATO meeting just two hours after assuming office.