Belgium is so many things at once that it is difficult to understand how, in such a small country, so many peculiarities and, above all, so many problems can accumulate. To begin with, it is governed by a Flemish ultranationalist, Bart De Wever, who until recently wanted his region, the wealthiest, to be independent so as not to have to continue financing Wallonia. That is, he wanted to break up the country he governs.
But now, he clings to the position of prime minister of the nation so strongly that, in the face of the inability to pass the 2025 Budget, he has made an even bigger bet: last week he asked King Philippe of Belgium for a 50-day period to approve multi-year accounts to carry out a 10 billion euro cut. Because yes, they also have public debt problems. One can easily imagine a conversation between him and the Spanish Prime Minister at the next European leaders' meeting: "Learn, Pedro. If you can't get the accounts for one year approved, bet on approving an agreement for the next five fiscal years."
To this political instability, already a common norm in recent years, two extremely serious situations are added: Russian drones fly over Belgian territory almost daily and the country is on its way to becoming a "narco-state." A judge in Antwerp stated this in an open and anonymous letter, asserting that in Belgium "broad mafia structures have been established, which have become a parallel force that challenges not only the Police but also the judiciary."
Furthermore, in Brussels - the capital that hosts the headquarters of the European Commission, the Council, the Parliament, and even NATO's headquarters - armed confrontations between gangs are common, or in certain metro stations, not far from the institutions, there are images of members of these groups displaying their Kalashnikovs to mark their territory.
It is unclear whether this threat or that of the aforementioned Russian drones is more intimidating, as in recent weeks they have paralyzed the country's main airports, including the one in the capital. They have also flown over military bases and even nuclear facilities, and for now, the Government has agreed that they will shoot down any unmanned aircraft they detect whenever possible. It is surprising that they offer this solution only after convening a Security Council, and that the weakness of a nation that houses all the aforementioned institutions is so evident. It is the perfect target for Vladimir Putin and his strategy to demonstrate Europe's fragility.
Moreover, in Brussels is also the headquarters of Euroclear, the financial securities clearing and settlement company where up to 185 billion euros in Russian assets are accumulated, which the European Commission wants to use to grant Ukraine a reconstruction loan. De Wever, despite his political weakness and the numerous problems piling up, was savvy enough to halt the plan during the last European Council.
Since then, meetings between the EU and Belgian officials have been held to convince the Government that if there is a Russian retaliation in the form of a lawsuit before international courts, the entire Union will respond and defend Belgium. However, the numerous Russian drones that have flown over the territory in recent days have not helped convince them: the Belgian government maintains that Putin's way of telling De Wever not to give in and prevent the Commission from using those assets, or there will be consequences.
Amid this chaotic and almost surreal succession of events, the Government has started sending nearly 150,000 letters to 17-year-olds informing them that next year they will have the opportunity to perform a paid one-year voluntary military service.
"All 17-year-olds in the country are encouraged to join the Armed Forces in general and to participate in the one-year voluntary military service in particular," said Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken a few days ago on his X social media profile.
In return, they will receive a net amount of 2,000 euros per month. To put this figure into context and compare it with Spain, it should be noted that the cost of living is higher in Belgium, but even so, it is a respectable amount for a young person. In 2026, the number of positions will be 500, a figure that will increase to 1,000 in 2027. And unions have already expressed concern that the remuneration offered by the Ministry of Defense "may take advantage of the precarious situation of young people and make militaristic rhetoric socially acceptable." Because yes, there is also a growing precarity issue.