The Belgian government is determined to move forward with its controversial migration policy, as stated by Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt on Wednesday. This announcement comes in the wake of a recent ruling by the country’s Constitutional Court, which temporarily suspended a measure aimed at limiting the reception of asylum-seekers already granted protection in another EU member state.
In its ruling last week, the Constitutional Court expressed concerns that restricting assistance to these asylum-seekers could lead to significant and irreparable harm, potentially violating EU law. The court has since referred the policy to the European Court of Justice for further examination.
Legal Framework for Continued Action
Despite the court’s order, Van Bossuyt defended the government’s stance, asserting that Belgian law permits the continuation of the policy. She emphasized, “We will, of course, make use of these legal options. This is important in order to further reduce the influx and avoid overburdening the reception system.” Her remarks highlight the government’s commitment to managing the flow of asylum-seekers into Belgium.
As a member of the Flemish nationalist N-VA party, which is led by Prime Minister Bart De Wever, Van Bossuyt believes that the measures currently in place are compliant with EU regulations. Furthermore, she anticipates that these policies will gain stronger legal backing once the EU’s new migration and asylum pact is implemented, expected to take effect on June 12. “Then we’ll have the possibility to tackle asylum and reception shopping even more explicitly,” she stated.
Impact of the Policy
According to Van Bossuyt, the effectiveness of Belgium’s measures is evident, as the number of individuals arriving from other EU countries with existing protection has dropped by 83 percent from September to December last year, compared to the same period in 2024. This significant reduction indicates the government’s success in curbing the influx of asylum-seekers under the current policy framework.
The Constitutional Court’s ruling also included a suspension of tighter regulations regarding family reunification, further complicating the landscape of asylum and migration in Belgium. As the situation develops, the government remains focused on implementing its policies to manage migration effectively.