The Chamber of Representatives approved the government’s request for urgent consideration of a bill setting Belgium’s 2027 military cap at 33,900, while Defense Minister Theo Francken later said it was approved, Anadolu Agency reported Tuesday.
The Chamber’s record for its Nov. 5 session shows lawmakers accepted the government’s request to handle the bill urgently. It does not record approval of the bill at that session. Anadolu Agency reported that Francken had announced approval in a post on X.
Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt told lawmakers the measure needed to be adopted and published before year-end so the personnel plan could be implemented under a legal framework from Jan. 1, 2027. Her remarks link that date to the start of the plan’s legal framework; they do not state that the law itself takes effect then. The Chamber record gives no date for a vote on the bill.
The federal Cabinet gave preliminary approval to the draft on Oct. 23, following a proposal from Francken. The plan would allow up to 33,900 people to serve at one time during 2027, compared with 30,300 in 2026. The total includes up to 29,400 active military personnel and trainees, plus 4,500 reservists.
Francken’s office said the larger force would strengthen Belgium’s security and support its ability to assist allies. The government’s proposed headcount limit is separate from its recruitment targets: the 2027 plan calls for 3,100 professional military hires, 1,500 reservists and 960 civilian employees. Francken’s official site says the cap would be the country’s highest since 2011.
Van Bossuyt said the bill must be adopted and published before year-end for the personnel plan to have a legal framework from Jan. 1, 2027. The Nov. 5 Chamber record does not identify a scheduled vote date.
