Bart De Wever

The city of Antwerp awards several million euros to Let's Go Urban. After the Sihame El Kaouakibi affair emerges, a municipal audit finds that checks were too superficial and identifies indications that subsidies were diverted to other organisations. De Wever acknowledges collective political responsibility for the allocation of public funds.

State of the evidence

Documented

The De Wever government launches a fiscal consolidation and reform programme including time limits on unemployment benefits, pension changes, return-to-work measures for the long-term sick and labour market flexibilisation. The measures trigger several national strikes and large-scale demonstrations.

State of the evidence

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Not applicable

The De Wever government adopts a markedly more restrictive migration policy: more difficult family reunification, stricter conditions for certain rights and statuses, increased returns and detention, and reduced reception capacity in some areas. The responsible minister presents it as the strictest migration policy ever implemented in Belgium.

State of the evidence

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De Wever opposes the seizure or hasty mobilisation of the principal of Russian sovereign assets immobilised at Euroclear, citing central bank reserve immunity, litigation risks and Belgium's disproportionate financial exposure. His reservations contribute to preventing adoption of the initial European loan mechanism backed by the principal.

State of the evidence

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Not applicable

De Wever states that Europe will need to normalise relations with Russia after a negotiated end to the war and regain access to cheaper energy. He adds that other European leaders reportedly share this assessment privately. Kaja Kallas and Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot publicly challenge this position.

State of the evidence

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As mayor and subsequently Prime Minister, De Wever actively supports the development of INEOS's massive Project One ethane cracker in the Port of Antwerp. An environmental permit is annulled in 2023 because of shortcomings in the assessment, particularly concerning nitrogen deposition; new permits are subsequently issued while NGOs continue their challenges over climate and health impacts.

State of the evidence

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Thirteen Palestinian students and researchers holding scholarships to Belgian universities remain stranded in Gaza. The De Wever government's inner cabinet examines a proposal by the Foreign Minister providing, among other things, for their evacuation, but no consensus is reached and Belgium decides not to organise their evacuation at this stage.

State of the evidence

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Over several New Year's Eve celebrations, De Wever imposes temporary restrictions preventing young people previously known for causing disorder from leaving their homes. In December 2024, 51 young people are affected, prompting criticism from the Human Rights League and academics concerning the legal basis, proportionality and the mayor's role.

State of the evidence

Established by a court

De Wever makes intensive action against drug trafficking a central priority of his mayoralty. Despite major seizures and operations, Antwerp experiences a series of explosions and shootings linked to gang score-settling. In January 2023, an 11-year-old girl is killed during an attack on a home in Merksem, sharply reigniting debate over the strategy's effectiveness.

State of the evidence

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Following the theft of an ambulance in Antwerp, De Wever states that those committing violence or antisocial acts against representatives of authority are 'almost always' young people of immigrant origin, most often non-European, and links the problem to immigration policy. He proposes civic placements for secondary school pupils, among other measures.

State of the evidence

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The PFAS-PFOS inquiry committee establishes that the Oosterweel political steering committee, on which De Wever sat as mayor, had been informed in 2017 of the contamination and concerns regarding the residential area. Public communication and precautionary measures were inadequate or delayed.

State of the evidence

Established by a court

De Wever opposes the proposal to extend the legal abortion limit from 12 to 18 weeks and indicates that its adoption could jeopardise a government arrangement involving the N-VA and CD&V.

State of the evidence

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Not applicable

Investigations by Apache examine links between property businesses and Antwerp's political authorities, notably because Joeri Dillen, De Wever's chief of staff, worked for Land Invest for a period while already connected to the mayor's office. A video of a birthday dinner organised by developer Erik Van der Paal, attended by De Wever and several Antwerp officials, fuels accusations of excessive closeness.

State of the evidence

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De Wever makes the United Nations Global Compact for Migration a red line and announces that the N-VA will leave the government if Charles Michel supports it in Marrakech. The N-VA ministers resign, the coalition loses its majority and Michel subsequently offers his resignation.

State of the evidence

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Not applicable

De Wever states that racism is a relative concept and too often invoked as an excuse, and describes Berbers as closed communities that distrust the authorities. The remarks are strongly criticised and a complaint alleging racism is filed.

State of the evidence

Established by a court

De Wever describes as 'gratuitous' the Antwerp mayor's apology for the role of local authorities in anti-Jewish persecution during the occupation. Following the controversy, he makes a personal apology and acknowledges an error of judgement. Pierre Mertens calls him a Holocaust denier; De Wever brings proceedings against him for insult and slander.

State of the evidence

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De Wever calls for German-style economic reforms to avoid what he calls the 'Walloonisation' of the Belgian economy. The expression prompts accusations of contempt towards and stigmatisation of Wallonia.

State of the evidence

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Not applicable

Under his leadership, the N-VA organises a convoy of mock 50-euro banknotes in 2005, symbolising financial transfers from Flanders to Wallonia. De Wever subsequently makes numerous provocative statements about the viability of the Belgian state and relations between Flanders and Wallonia.

State of the evidence

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Not applicable

A photograph taken in 1996 shows Bart De Wever near Jean-Marie Le Pen at a Vlaams-Nationaal Debatclub conference in Antwerp. Its publication in 2007 sparks controversy over his political associations.

State of the evidence

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