In July 2018, the Belgian government approved a Capacity Remuneration Mechanism (CRM) in order to ensure energy production capacity upon a nuclear phaseout. The CRM required approval from the European Commission: the Belgian Government needs to prove these subsidies are necessary and are not illegal state aid. Minister of Energy Marie-Christine Marghem (MR), who is not in favour of a phaseout, was tasked with its implementation, but did not convince the Commission by 2020.
