Belgian Premier Bart De Wever said during a speech that migration is weakening his country [2].
The remarks signal a critical shift in the government's approach to demographic changes and national stability. By framing migration as a source of national weakness, De Wever is centering the debate on the perceived erosion of social and institutional strength.
De Wever said these comments during an opening lecture at the University of Ghent [2]. The speech focused on the broader impact of migration policy and how it affects the Belgian state. He said that the current trajectory of migration is detrimental to the country's overall resilience [2].
During the lecture, De Wever compared Belgium's situation to other nations. He mentioned Canada, noting that the North American country maintains an active migration policy [2].
"Migratie is ons land aan het verzwakken," De Wever said [2].
The premier's appearance at the university provided a platform to detail his views on the intersection of policy and national identity. The full conversation regarding these policies was later shared via the VRT NWS YouTube channel [1].
“"Migratie is ons land aan het verzwakken."”
This rhetoric reflects a growing trend among European leaders to link migration directly to national strength and security. By utilizing an academic setting like the University of Ghent, De Wever is attempting to ground his political stance in a formal intellectual framework, potentially paving the way for stricter migration controls in Belgium.
