Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
On the occasion of King Philippe's 65th birthday, young people from the far-right Vlaams Belang (VBJ) party went to the Royal Palace in Brussels on Tuesday, April 22. Not to offer congratulations, but to confront the king about the exorbitant costs of the monarchy—right outside the palace gates. Their message: "There is no more room for hereditary luxury in a modern democracy." According to a statement distributed by the party, a copy of which we received, the young people submitted their questions not on paper, but on symbolic banknotes—a sarcastic reference to the millions of euros that flow to the royal family each year. "Why do you receive millions of dollars every year without being elected?" "And do you get a raise if you cut more ribbons?" These were some of the provocative questions printed on the banknotes by VBJ.
"More than 14 million euros in tax money flows to the king alone annually," said Mirsina Claesen, VBJ's youth official. This year, we have surpassed the 15 million mark." The total cost to the Belgian royal family in 2024 will reach €43,275,000, an increase of €1.3 million compared to last year. This is without any accountability or democratic oversight.

"In a modern democracy, there is no longer room for hereditary monarchy."
Claesen pointed to the widening gap between the world of luxury under the monarchy and the reality of Flemish youth: "While it is increasingly difficult for young people to buy a house or pay for their studies, the royal millions continue to flow relentlessly. This is far from reality."
Claesen asserts that "in a modern democracy, there is no longer room for hereditary monarchy, which avoids any form of accountability." Therefore, the youth of the Vlaams Belang (VBJ) party are calling for the complete abolition of subsidies. Let every euro be given to the hard-working Flemish people. The VBJ renews its call for the abolition of the monarchy and calls for the introduction of a republic where accountability, transparency, and democratic legitimacy are the norm.