Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Flemish liberal/Open VLD) yesterday stressed that it was time for stricter expulsion policies after it emerged that the shooter suspected of killing two Swedes and injuring a third Monday was a failed asylum seeker staying in Belgium illegally. "People who have to return to their country of origin we should either literally accompany onto the plane or we should put them in closed centres until they can be expelled."
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PM De Croo calls for stricter expulsion policies: 'Either a place in a closed centre or return under escort to country of origin'
Colin Clapson
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Mr De Croo acknowledges that these two options have still not been completely properly organised. For instance, there is not enough room in closed centres. "That is why we need the help of other European countries. Only then can people be sent to their countries of origin effectively." He believes Europe should provide a united front against the countries of origin by only offering money or other resources when these countries cooperate.
Putting people who have exhausted all legal means to try to stay here on a plane is not that simple either. "If countries on the other side don't want to cooperate, we hit a wall. In Tunisia, for example, if you try to consult with the new president, you run into a wall."
Help from European countries may help, but wasn't it up to Belgium to track down the perpetrator of the attack earlier? "That's right, I'm not going to deny that something went wrong," says Mr De Croo. "But that is a problem that has been around for many decades. So I want to make that a priority when we hold the presidency of the European Union next year."