Loss of nationality, silence over accused officials, exclusion of the most vulnerable — Belgium’s punitive liberalism is reaching a dangerous new threshold.
By Kadir Duran – Bruxelles Korner

BELGIUM ON RATIONS: AFTER POLICING AND UNEMPLOYMENT, NATIONALITY IS NEXT IN LINE

Sexual Crimes: Nationality Revoked for Some, Silence for Others

Two-Tier Justice: The MR Party Targets Citizens but Shields Its Mayors

After dismantling the unified police council in Brussels, excluding tens of thousands from long-term unemployment benefits, and failing to form a Brussels government for over a year, the so-called “Arizona” coalition has taken another controversial step: stripping Belgian nationality from dual nationals convicted of serious crimes.

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The Reform at a Glance

Under the proposed legislation, individuals convicted of homicide, sexual assault, or organized crime could lose their Belgian nationality — but only if they hold dual nationality. Judges would be legally required to rule on the revocation during sentencing.

“When someone attacks life, sexual integrity, or public safety, they no longer deserve Belgian nationality,” declared MR party president Georges-Louis Bouchez, in a firm and unapologetic tone.

Double Standards?

And yet, here lies the contradiction: Maxime Daye, MR mayor of Braine-le-Comte, is currently under criminal investigation for allegedly sending sexually explicit images to minors. Despite calls from the PS and Ecolo parties, he has not been suspended and continues to hold office. The public prosecutor has confirmed an open investigation, yet no political sanctions have been taken.

One law for the governed, another for those who govern?

While Bouchez advocates zero tolerance on social media, he invokes the presumption of innocence when dealing with allegations against one of his own. A fundamental legal principle, of course — but the contradiction is glaring when compared to the reform’s spirit: removal of nationality as soon as a conviction is reached, with no nuance.

“The judge must now decide,” says the MR. But within its own ranks, there’s hesitation — or protection?

A Justice System with Shifting Boundaries

This double standard fuels public disillusionment. Are dual nationals and working-class citizens held to harsher standards than elected officials? The message to society is unsettling: tough laws for the base, leniency for the elite.

The MR preaches discipline — but protects its own.

A Broader Pattern: Punishment Over Policy

This harsh approach isn’t new. It fits into a growing pattern of punitive governance:
• Automatic exclusion from unemployment benefits after two years, regardless of social circumstances.
• Dissolution of Brussels’ unified police council, weakening local security coordination.
• Failure to form a Brussels government, leaving the capital in expensive administrative limbo for over a year.

Rising Distrust in Political Leadership

The MR brands itself as the party of “restored authority”. Yet the case of its own mayor undermines the moral credibility of that message. In reality, the government seems to prioritize communication over consistency, and punishment over responsibility.

Final Word: Governing Isn’t Just Punishing

“We’re protecting Belgium. We’re keeping our promises,” the MR proclaims.

But in trying to govern through exclusion and repression, it risks dividing the country, humiliating the vulnerable, and ultimately contradicting itself. A policy on nationality revocation must go hand-in-hand with moral consistency and accountability — starting at the top.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

More info:
www.mr.be – Official reform details

Kadir Duran – Bruxelles Korner
Political Columnist – @eureflect

#LossOfNationality #DoubleStandards #ArizonaCoalition #BrusselsPolitics #PunitiveLiberalism #SelectiveJustice #MaximeDaye #GLBouchez

La Ligne Rouge risque d’être dépassée par le Gouvernement Arizona » :
1. Site officiel du MR
Le MR détaille sa réforme sur la déchéance de nationalité, l’exclusion du chômage longue durée et la fin du conseil de police unique.
www.mr.be
2. RTBF
Articles sur la volonté du gouvernement fédéral d’élargir la déchéance de nationalité aux auteurs de crimes graves (homicide, crime sexuel, criminalité organisée).
rtbf.be
3. EMN Belgium (Migration européenne)
Analyse des nouvelles dispositions du gouvernement belge en matière de nationalité et des risques juridiques.
emnbelgium.be
4. RTL Info
Révélations sur l’enquête judiciaire visant Maxime Daye (MR), bourgmestre de Braine-le-Comte, accusé d’avoir envoyé des contenus à caractère sexuel à des mineurs.
rtl.be
6. 7sur7.be
Analyse juridique des limites de la déchéance de nationalité en Belgique et des problèmes d’application pour les binationaux.
7sur7.be
7. Charte des droits fondamentaux de l’UE
Article 48 sur la présomption d’innocence, base juridique du droit européen.
fra.europa.eu
8. Cairn / CRISP
Études sur le glissement sécuritaire et la politique pénale en Belgique et ses implications démocratiques.
shs.cairn.info