The Belgian presidency takes the lead from the EU. But with which minister

(BRUSSELS2) By virtue of the rotating presidency (which was maintained by the Treaty of Lisbon (1)), Belgium is therefore responsible for running European affairs for six months. The presidency's priority is given to economics and finance. Logic responding to the development of economic, financial and budgetary crises (before being social). Also institutional logic: the weight in external matters of the rotating presidency being limited by the creation of the European External Action Service and the reinforced role of the High Representative who now chairs the Foreign Affairs Council. Read also: Belgium: splash! No government but still EU priorities.

A Minister of Defense on waivers?

The Belgian government, which has held the presidency of the EU since today, has resigned. And the ministers in title will perhaps (probably) not all be confirmed. A question therefore always concerns the personality of the future Minister of Defence. Before the elections, the current minister Pieter de Crem (CD&V) seemed ready to be confirmed, having undertaken a major restructuring (with the abolition of barracks and staff mobility) which few politicians wanted to inherit (or assume).

It is no longer the same today; not even at all! The rout of the Christian Democrats at the Flemish level in the last elections in June indeed forced drastic choices. The traditional party in power will no longer be able to maintain the same number of ministers in government, at levels as important as today (Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs, Defence, Justice, Civil Service), it will have to choose. According to certain information, this position could today be claimed by the Socialists, perhaps on the Flemish side (we speak - among others - of the return of Tobback son, Bruno of his first name, who was Minister of the Environment under Verhofstadt II , and SPA federal deputy). However, his main task will not be at European level (unless a particular event is always possible) but to manage the reform initiated by his predecessor. Cornelian choice...

In the meantime, the current government is taking over. The informal meeting of defense ministers in Ghent on September 23 and 24 could therefore well be chaired by Pieter de Crem.

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)

(1) Contrary to what some supporters of the European Constitution or the Lisbon Treaty believed (or wanted to believe)