New Flemish government also supports the Einstein Telescope

In the coalition agreement of the new Flemish government, an unambiguous choice is made for the Einstein Telescope as a “science project to further excel Flanders as a knowledge region, increase our European and international visibility, and maximise the internal socio-economic opportunities.”

The coalition agreement was announced last weekend. The Flemish Government of N-VA, Vooruit, and CD&V supports the candidacy for the construction of the Einstein Telescope and will allocate resources for it.

Prime Minister

Prime Minister Matthias Diependaele will also be responsible for Economy, Science, and Innovation, which means the Einstein Telescope will fall under his portfolio.

The coalition agreement also states that further consultations will follow with Flemish, intrafederal, and Euregio Meuse-Rhine stakeholders to make preparations to submit a joint bid book by the end of 2026.

Ambition

The new Flemish government sees the Einstein Telescope as an opportunity to further boost the so-called R&D intensity. This is the index that relates research and development (R&D) expenditures to gross domestic product. Flanders is already the European leader with 3.52 percent in 2022, but aims to grow to 5 percent.

Response

Hans Plets, from the management team of the Einstein Telescope – EMR project office, welcomed the clear choice of the new Flemish government for the Einstein Telescope: ‘Flanders has of course indicated before that it is in favour of the Einstein Telescope, but with a new government it is always exciting to what extent and tone that will be the case in the future. We had a lot of confidence in this and that has now come true. It is already another step towards a solid candidature of three countries.’