The Flemish Interest has tabled a bill that makes obtaining Belgian nationality a lot more difficult.

In concrete terms, one wants, among other things, to increase the minimum period of a legal residence in Belgium from five years to ten years. The proposal will be considered today during the plenary session of the Chamber and must come from the current 'fleet-Belgian Law', according to the petitioner Ortwin Depoortere (Flemish Interest). "Nationality should not be an advantage card of the sA Belgium that one picks up for the sake of benefits, but a real commitment to rights and obligations tied to the community." In 2012, the 'fast-Belgian law' was formally abolished. A number of splurges were eliminated, but not all misconditions were restored, according to the Flemish Interest. The party is therefore talking about a 'fleet-Belgian law' that came into its place. In total, no less than 134,429 foreign nationals have obtained Belgian nationality in the past four years, representing an average of 33,107 'new Belgians' per year. According to the nationalist party, these figures clearly point to an overly lax nationality legislation. Flemish Interest: "Anyone who wants Belgian nationality as an outsider must earn this"In concrete terms, the Flemish Interest wants the minimum term of a legal residence to be doubled to ten years instead of five years, that the minimum period of the marriage as a condition of obtaining nationality is increased from three to five years and that stateless persons must stay in Belgium for at least five years instead of two years." Nationality must be re-earned," says Mp Depoortere. "Only those who demonstrate that they reside in the country for sufficient time uninterrupted and legal, and who show good citizenship and economic contributions to our society should be given nationality. That nationality should therefore no longer be an advantage card of the nv Belgium, which one picks up for the benefit, but a real commitment to rights and obligations tied to the community."