Over 1,000 members of ALDE Party’s Mouvement Réformateur (MR) gathered in Brussels this Sunday, October 23, for its first-ever Belgium 2030 congress. Members overwhelmingly supported 21 proposals aimed at making Belgium a digital, efficient and energy independent nation from by 2030.  

Belgium 2030 is a process that began two years ago, with more than 20 debates organised in Brussels and Wallonia, focusing on the issues of taxation and employment, energy, state efficiency and digital technology. 

MR President Georges-Louis Bouchez closed the congress by pointing out that Belgium today faces two contradictory realities: it must look to the future, but people also expect politicians to address their immediate difficulties.  

“MR wants to combine the two imperatives and prepare for Belgium’s bicentenary by positioning Belgium as a modern country, looking to the future and capable of meeting challenges. For that we have to carry out the reforms now and not wait until 2029. And have them in mind for the 2024 elections.”  

Before Bouchez’s speech, various liberal personalities presented the proposals that were submitted to a vote by the party members. Namely State Secretary for Digitization Mathieu Michel; Minister of Finance, Budget, Airports and Sports Infrastructures of Wallonia Adrien Dolimont; Members of the Brussels Parliament Alexia Bertrand, Aurélie Czekalski, Davi Leisterh and David Weytsman; Mayor of Chaudfontaine Daniel Bacquelaine; Mayor of Cerfontaine Christophe Bombled; and Mayor of Libin Anne Laffut. 

The members voted in favour of, amongst other things: 

• The creation of a secure digital identity card 
• A time limit on unemployment benefits to two years before the age of 55 
• A basic income which would replace various social benefits 
• A tax reduction for workers 
• The federalisation of certain state competences 
• A reduction of elected representatives in the country 
• An extension of the country’s five nuclear reactors 

You can watch the full event here (in French). 

The event photo album is available here. 

Photo credit: MR - Mouvement Réformateur