Ludivine Dedonder, the Belgian Minister of Defense, has publicly condemned a sexist remark made by Theo Francken, a politician from the nationalist N-VA party, who compared her leadership style to 'Snow White' waiting for a prince.

Francken's comment, which Dedonder criticized as an embodiment of machismo, suggested that she is reliant on male saviors rather than demonstrating strong leadership.

Dedonder characterized Francken's remarks as yet another instance of machismo and sexism, asserting that such attitudes hinder constructive political discourse.

She also criticized Francken for prioritizing American interests over European defense initiatives, referencing the significant F-35 fighter jet deal made under his party's leadership in 2018.

Dedonder emphasized the importance of Europe focusing on its own defense industry instead of relying on American military contracts, advocating for greater autonomy.

However, she expressed concerns about the future of defense investments, particularly as the Socialist Party is likely to move into opposition, which could affect her 'STAR' investment and recruitment plan.

In her response, Dedonder accused Francken of representing 'males in search of virility' who idolize figures like Donald Trump, highlighting a broader issue of toxic masculinity in politics.

During a radio interview on January 23, 2025, she elaborated that excessive masculinity, metaphorically referred to as 'too much testosterone,' negatively impacts judgment and decision-making.

Since taking office in 2020, Dedonder claims to have revitalized the Belgian Defense by recruiting over 10,000 military personnel, despite the budget remaining below NATO's recommended 2% of GDP.

She criticized the previous government led by Charles Michel from the N-VA for leaving a poor legacy in defense, focusing primarily on the acquisition of F-35 fighter jets.

Her overarching goal is to strengthen the European pillar within NATO, enhancing the continent's independence in economic and security matters.

The ongoing political conflict surrounding defense budget reforms is particularly pronounced between the nationalist Flemish N-VA party and the socialist francophone parties, amid significant public deficits.