Belgian interior minister Bernard Quintin (Francophone liberal MR) says soldiers will be deployed on the streets of Brussels before the end of the year. ‘That remains the goal,’ the minister told Francophone broadcaster RTBF.
It has been known for some time that the federal government wants to deploy soldiers in the fight against drug crime in the Flemish and Belgian capital. But there has been a debate about the timing. Quintin previously announced that it would happen before the end of this year, but Belgian defence minister Theo Francken (Flemish nationalist N-VA) did not see it happening until April 2026. By then, a clear legal framework would be in place, Francken noted. This is necessary to allow soldiers to carry out tasks including body searches, requesting identity cards and handcuffing people.
Quintin is now going ahead with his original timing, after consultation with Francken. The powers of the military will remain limited for the time being. They will also always patrol together with police officers.
Quintin wants to deploy the army mainly in metro and train stations. According to the Francophone liberal, who doubles as security minister, the presence of soldiers has an important symbolic value. ‘It shows both criminals and the population at large that the state wants to guarantee the safety of its citizens with all its might.’