At the participation congress, Mouvement Réformateur activists approved the party's entry into the Arizona government, marking a decisive step towards implementing a programme of deep and ambitious reforms. This government agreement, in which the MR played a central role, places work, security, state modernisation and lower tax pressure at the heart of its priorities.
Our course to reform Belgium is clear: fairer taxation for workers and entrepreneurs, better protection for citizens through more effective justice and stronger security, a balanced migration policy, and a responsible budgetary path that favours cutting public spending over raising taxes.
MR activists clearly expressed their support for this vision at the participation congress. The MR is fully committed to this Arizona government to carry out these reforms and give Belgium back a future built on work, freedom and prosperity.
A reforming government to strengthen jobs and work
The MR has secured major progress to ensure that working always pays more than living on benefits:
- A net increase of €500 per month for workers compared to social benefit recipients.
- A strict limitation of unemployment benefits to 2 years, with mandatory training towards a shortage occupation for any extension.
- The introduction of a right to career change, allowing workers with at least 10 years' experience to resign once with guaranteed unemployment benefits for six months.
- A register of social benefits to fight fraud and limit abusive cumulation of benefits.
- A reduction in taxation on pensions and an upgrade of self-employed workers' pensions.
More flexibility and stronger economic dynamism
The agreement also provides for a modernisation of the labour market:
- Abolition of the ban on Sunday work to respond to economic developments and consumer expectations.
- An increase in the flexi-job ceiling, from €12,000 to €18,000 per year.
- Making the student-entrepreneur status permanent, with 650 working hours per year.
- A reduction in abuse related to long-term incapacity, with greater accountability for health insurance funds and employers.
A firm and effective security policy
Faced with security challenges and the explosion of drug trafficking, the MR has secured strong measures to guarantee order and the protection of citizens:
- Zero tolerance towards drug traffickers and strengthening of the canal plan.
- Justice reform: rapists and repeat offenders will no longer be released before serving three-quarters of their sentence.
- Systematic deportation of foreign prisoners, who currently make up 43% of the prison population.
- A ban on entry to the territory for hate preachers and extremist organisations.
- Securing international stations, with a higher level of control.
Regulated and responsible migration
The agreement puts an end to the inconsistencies of migration policy and introduces strict measures:
- Systematic deportation of people staying illegally.
- A doubling of the capacity of closed detention centres.
- Introduction of a 5-year residency requirement to qualify for social benefits.
- A strengthened integration path with a declaration of adherence to the country's values.
A realistic and ambitious energy policy
To guarantee a stable and affordable energy supply, the MR has secured major breakthroughs:
- Extension of 4 gigawatts of nuclear power, together with the construction of 4 additional gigawatts.
- Support for nuclear research, a field in which Belgium has recognised expertise.
- An end to punitive climate policy, with an approach based on investment and innovation rather than taxation.