Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo’s speech to the European Parliament on Monday morning called for a Europe that was more responsive to its citizens and more competitive on a global scale.
De Croo's address introduced the key priorities of the Belgian Presidency to the plenary session in Strasbourg. He highlighted an urgent need for Europe to become more independent in a time of intense geopolitical change.
"If 2024 brings us America first again, it will be more than ever 'Europe on its own,'" he said, in reference to the possibility of Trump once again entering the White House as US President.
In terms of both industrial policy and an effective green transition, he advocated for a more innovative approach. "The climate policies of China and the US contain an abundance of carrots for their industry. While we, here in Europe, all too often grab for the stick."
The 48-year-old liberal called on MEPs to maintain solidarity with Ukraine, and spoke in favour of an accelerated enlargement process that included conversations about the rule of law as early on as possible. He also urged Europe to do everything in its power to put an end to suffering in Israel and Palestine by opening more humanitarian corridors in the region.
Regarding migration, De Croo is in favour of better management that addresses structural problems through providing better support for third countries.
European values
Heightened respect for democracy and the rule of law underpinned De Croo's speech, which he linked to the importance of the European elections in June.
"The European project was born out of a devastating war," he said. He emphasised the lessons that Europe learnt from the Second World War and the Holocaust and how they shaped the continent's "duty" to liberty. He said the European elections in June were an opportunity to make the EU stronger and more responsive to its citizens.
Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib (MR) and Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open VLD) speak to MEPs in Strasbourg. Credit: EP Photo
Several Belgian MEPs took the opportunity to voice their grievances with the Prime Minister during the debate.
Benoît Lutgen (Les Engagés - EPP) expressed disappointment at the Prime Minister's failure to mention farmers. Geert Bourgeois (N-VA - ECR), meanwhile, welcomed the Presidency's industrial policies. Co-leader of the European Greens, Philippe Lamberts (Ecolo - Greens/EFA), said that there should be no pause in the fight against climate change, calling for its acceleration instead.
Year of elections
Alongside European elections, the Belgian elections are undoubtedly on De Croo's mind too: both votes will occur on 9 June.
An anonymous source told Le Soir that poor performance in the polls has pushed Open VLD to put De Croo at the front and centre of its election campaign.
"The polls are extremely unfavourable to us," they said. "Alexander is convinced that the only lifeline available to the party is a campaign centred on himself. So yes, we have put everything on him – that's what he wanted."
On top of travelling to Strasbourg, the Prime Minister has just returned from a trip to China where he met with President Xi Jinping. He unveiled his party's election candidates in Brussels on Monday evening and he is also attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos this week.
