Between climate ambition and the automotive industry, Belgium seeks a European compromise

Written by Contexte
13 March 2026

Brisset Mina, a delegate representing Belgium at the Council of the European Union, supports the European Commission’s proposals on the automotive transition. She particularly advocates for a gradual electrification through corporate vehicle fleets and believes that negotiations between Member States, structured around several blocs, should ultimately lead to a compromise. In this context, countries such as Belgium and Germany could play a mediating role, helping reconcile climate ambition with industrial constraints.

On 22 February 2026, before the parliamentary recess, we met with Brisset Mina, Belgium’s delegate to the Council of the European Union, to discuss Belgium’s position on the European Commission’s automotive package, in particular the proposals on CO₂ emission standards and clean corporate vehicle fleets.

A supportive approach to alliances between Member States and backing for the Commission’s proposals

The interviewee considers it legitimate for certain countries to group together within the Council of the European Union in order to defend shared interests. In her view, such alliances allow Member States to better express their needs and negotiate more effectively. She stresses that these groupings should not be seen as a confrontation between different “Europes”, but rather as a way to incorporate the economic and industrial realities of each country into the discussions.

She points in particular to countries such as Poland, which are less advanced in terms of electrification and infrastructure. In her view, it is therefore understandable that these Member States ask for more time to adapt their industries.

In this context, the position she defends is clearly supportive of the two proposals put forward by the European Commission. She considers them to be a more realistic response than the legislation adopted in 2019. The priority, she argues, is for the texts to be adopted. In her view, it would be preferable for them to pass with adjustments — such as a slight postponement of the 2035 deadline — rather than not be adopted at all.

→ Belgium supports the Commission’s proposals and favors pragmatic compromises to ensure their adoption while accounting for Member States’ different levels of readiness for electrification.

The central role of corporate vehicle fleets and negotiations structured around several blocs

One of the key elements for the interviewee concerns the proposal targeting corporate vehicle fleets. In her view, this measure presents a double advantage. First, it focuses on vehicles that are driven frequently and therefore contribute significantly to CO₂ emissions. Second, it could gradually feed the second-hand market with electric vehicles.

Because company cars are replaced regularly, they would quickly enter the second-hand market. This would provide European citizens with broader access to electric vehicles at more affordable prices. She also mentions the possibility of monitoring the development of the second-hand market in order to track how many electric vehicles enter it as a result of this policy.

According to her, discussions around the 2035 deadline are likely to be structured around several groups of Member States. Some countries, such as Spain or certain Nordic states, may advocate for stronger climate ambition. Others, including Poland, Hungary, or Slovakia, may call for more time to adapt. In this context, Belgium aims to position itself as an intermediary capable of engaging with these different groups.

→ Belgium supports corporate fleet electrification and seeks to act as a bridge between more ambitious countries and those requesting more time in the negotiations.

Mediator countries and a gradual negotiation strategy

Belgium and Germany are presented as countries that could act as bridges between the different positions. Both have significant automotive industries, which allows them to understand the concerns of countries that rely heavily on this sector.

At the same time, they are engaged in the transition toward electrification. This intermediate position could enable them to facilitate compromises between more ambitious countries and those asking for more time.

Initial discussions on amendments have already begun, although they mainly concern technical aspects. According to the interviewee, negotiations are expected to focus first on the most sensitive political issues, particularly the 2035 deadline. She explains that Belgium aims to adopt a constructive approach in these discussions, prioritizing dialogue and compromise rather than blocking the process.

→ Belgium seeks to play a mediating role in the negotiations by promoting compromise and a gradual approach to the most sensitive political issues.

The indirect role of the European Parliament and a balance of power favorable to adopting the text

Belgium does not intend to intervene directly in the internal debates of the European Parliament. Instead, it plans to closely follow the positions taken by Members of the European Parliament and use these orientations as arguments in negotiations within the Council.

Indeed, at the end of the legislative process, Member States will have to reach an agreement not only among themselves but also with the European Parliament.

According to the interviewee, most Member States have an interest in seeing the new proposals adopted. If the negotiations were to fail, the 2019 legislation would remain in force, which she considers more demanding for industries.

Although some countries may prefer to maintain the current rules because they support stronger climate ambition, she believes that a large majority of political actors ultimately want the proposals to be adopted. In this context, negotiations will likely focus on how to adjust the texts in order to secure their approval.