🇧🇪 Belgium’s dirty dozen: 12 priorities for the next government(s) - No. 5: Defence ⚔️
Greenlane Public Affairs
Your guide in the political labyrinth in Brussels.
Belgians are going to the polls on June 9th for federal and regional elections. No matter what political candidates promise, these are the 12 most pressing issues they will have to deal with sooner rather than later.
No. 5: Defence ⚔️
In 2023, Belgium spent 1.1 % of GDP or about 6.6 billion euros on Belgian Defence, being second worst-in-class of all NATO countries (only neighbouring Luxembourg 🇱🇺 spends 0.7%). This is a far cry from North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's guideline of a structural and sustained spending of 2% of GDP. To be fair, most of the alliance's members do not meet this soft target, but this can hardly be used as an excuse in these challenging times.
Equally, Belgium is second worst-in-class in defence investments. With about 80% of the budget spent on personnel and training, there is little room for innovation and new gear.
Belgium's defence minister Ludivine Dedonder aims to catch up though...by 2035, with an interim target in 2030 of 1.6% of GDP.
Opinion may vary on how much should be spent on defence and how the bloc should operate to achieve collective deterrence and contribute to global security. Belgium plan to double defence spending in ten years may sound ambitious. But it's only a plan. And in view of geopolitical developments in Europe and beyond, it is probably fair to say that Belgium (and other countries) will have to raise the bar to meet challenges ahead.
More money. Faster. Smarter.
Belgium will need to seek ways to increase defence investment spending after the elections sooner than anticipated. New government bonds to finance defence expenditure ramp up may serve as a short term solution, although one cannot guarantee that the revenue will be spent on defence investments (no legal basis for earmarking of public spending).
Second, extra cash without budgetary discipline will only worsen Belgium’s finances at term. With Belgium's public budget spinning out of control already, political priorities will have to be set and choices will have to be made. An increase of Belgium’s military spending can only be financed by increased revenue or a reallocation of resources within a sustainable budgetary framework.
Finally, extra cash is not the only issue: if Belgium wants to be reliable partner, it needs a more assertive political strategy for its military, going beyond peacekeeping and medical support. This country also needs a modern HR policy to attract young men and women, yet without keeping them on the pay-roll forever.
Who do I call if I want to call Europe?
Belgium and other 🇪🇺 countries have much to gain from a more efficient use of resources, too. The European Commission adopted its European Defence Industrial Strategy in March 2024 to strengthen European capabilities in the area. An essential first step, it will only yield results in the long-run and the EU can only play a limited role.
Yes, member states will need to work together more. But at its core, they will all have to do their homework which is long overdue. And this applies particularly to Belgium.
➡️ Previously
Public finances 💶 https://rb.gy/dfug56
Pensions 👵🏻👴🏻🧓🏽 https://rb.gy/oaz8v0
Taxation 💸 https://rb.gy/5ljm63
Climate & Energy⚡️https://rb.gy/i6il53
⬇️ Coming up next
VI. Justice ⚖️
VII. Housing 🏡
VIII. Labour Market 👷👩
VIX. Education 📚
X. Mobility 🚦
XI. Economic Competitiveness 📈
XII. State Reform 🚧