BGM DigestBGM Digest — Week 10 (2-8 March 2026)
Budget 2026 : End of Provisional Budget Months
The Dilliès government approved the 2026 budget in council of ministers on 5 March, ending the regime of provisional budget months that had paralysed regional investment for nearly a year. The regional deficit has been reduced to 957 million EUR (down from approximately 1.2 billion EUR in 2025), continuing the trajectory towards budgetary balance targeted for 2029. The budget will be put to a vote in the Brussels Parliament on 26-27 March.
This approval marks a major institutional turning point : the government can now commit normal expenditures and structural investments that had been frozen since February 2025. Public Centres for Social Action (CPAS) and community operators, particularly in the non-profit sector, regain budget visibility after months of uncertainty.
Unemployment Reform : CPAS Surge and Budgetary Strain
The second wave of unemployment exclusions (persons unemployed for 8-20 years) took effect on 1 March, creating an influx to social centres exceeding government projections. Centres report an inflow of 40-50 % of excluded persons, while Vivalis data projects that 42 % of excluded Brusselians have no identifiable income.
Nationally, 185,700 persons have been excluded from unemployment benefits since 2023, including approximately 42,000 in the Brussels-Capital Region (Actiris). The Court of Auditors challenges the government's compensation hypothesis (one-third-one-third-one-third : state, municipalities, CPAS) and deems the federal allocation insufficient : approximately 709 million EUR will be required in 2029 to fully fund social assistance, against 300 million EUR provisioned.
On 12 March, a national demonstration by the trade union front (FGTB-CSC) will voice the demands of the weakened non-profit sector. See ACS dossier →
Mobility : Tram Closures and Major Renovations
Two major announcements reshape the Brussels network :
Dalla Bara (pre-metro) : trams 4, 10, 51 and 81 will be cut off for one year starting 27 April 2026. The concrete slab of the tunnel beneath Bara Square, built 40 years ago, requires emergency repairs (infiltration, corrosion, collapse risk). A substitution plan includes reinforced buses 50, 96 and 37, and extension of tram 82.
Tunnel Renovation : federal minister Quintin (Beliris) announces 101.3 million EUR (50 million Beliris + 51.3 million Region) for renovation of tunnels Louise, Belliard and other strategic axes. Parallel acceleration of mobility projects : park-and-ride facilities (Stalle), cycling links, Mediapark Reyers redesign and Schuman completion (autumn 2026).
Security : Activation of Regional Security Council and SIAMU Expansion
On 5 March, the Regional Security Council (CORES) was convened following air strikes in Iran. Emergency meeting with 19 mayors, 6 police zone heads, the Crown Prosecutor and the OCAM. Threat level remained 3-4 (serious), and police reinforcements were deployed from the weekend.
In parallel, the Chamber voted to nearly triple the federal SIAMU allocation : from 5.7 to 15.4 million EUR per year. This correction addresses historical discrimination (Constitutional Court ruling in 2022) stemming from the 2015 rescue zones reform. Annual indexation will begin in 2027.
Wellbeing : New Dossier on Quality of Life and Mental Health
A comprehensive dossier has been created on wellbeing and quality of life in Brussels. Life satisfaction stands at 7.5/10 (IBSA), while poverty is estimated at 25-33 % (EU-SILC). Life expectancy is 82.15 years, with approximately 25 m² of green space per resident.
Mental health data (Sciensano 2023-2024) reveal significant regional disparities : 58 % psychological wellbeing in Brussels versus 64.9 % in Flanders, and 21.9 % in severe distress. The digital divide remains a barrier : 40 % digital vulnerability, exacerbated by the Constitutional Court's ruling of September 2025.
The unemployment reform intensifies these precarity challenges. See Wellbeing dossier →
VGC : Majority Agreement Approved
The VGC Council approved on 6 March the majority agreement "Brussel, dat is zoveel meer" structured around six pillars : early childhood, education, culture, youth, sport, wellbeing. The VGC college, comprising Van den Brandt (Groen, chair), De Smedt (Anders) and Persoons (Vooruit), has been in office since February. Dalle (CD&V) was elected Council President. No detailed budget has been published ; opposition criticises the agreement as vague.
Culture and Heritage : Closures and Redevelopment Projects
La Centrale contemporary art centre (Saint-Catherine Square) closed permanently on 22 February after 20 years. Six of 20 employees were made redundant. Brussels City's culture budget fell by −19.6 % between 2024 and 2026. The FAME festival (founded 2021) is also discontinued.
On a positive note, the federal council of ministers approved the Beliris call for tenders for Cinquantenaire Park redesign (green zones, pathways, athletics track, rainwater management, monumental stairs, lighting, accessibility, bike racks). Target : completion by the bicentennial in 2030.
Municipalities : Local Governance and Structural Conflicts
Schaerbeek : Ecolo demands the definitive resignation of Audrey Henry (MR) as acting burgomaster. After her appointment as Regional Secretary of State in February, Henry retains the status of "standing in" while De Brabant performs the duties and Koyuncu is designated successor in 2028 — three simultaneous layers criticised by the opposition.
Molenbeek : Park West (3 hectares, former rail yard) is made permanent. Managed by Toestand vzw since 2022, the site nearly closed during the 2025 government crisis. A new multi-year contract via Brussels Environment launches redevelopment as a multifunctional urban park with cycle path and footbridge to Beekkant.
Auderghem : first deployment of the "Safe Places" project. Ten shops, three institutions and Hankar MIVB station are identified as refuges against street harassment, with staff trained by PsyBru. Launch 5 March 2026.
Municipalities significantly raise property tax (precompte increases in Saint-Josse +37 %, Ganshoren +20 %, Koekelberg first increase in 10 years), while Saint-Josse faces a 30 million EUR deficit and Evere has been under financial supervision for over 10 years.
Radar Signals : Audi Forest and Transversal Policies
On 4 March, ministers Dilliès, Hublet and Henry visited the Audi Forest site (54 hectares, Forest district). Olivier Van Steirtegem was appointed special adviser to coordinate reconversion and create 2,500 new jobs. The government agreement foresaw an "urban free trade zone", but no ordinance has yet been published.
A national demonstration on 12 March will notably voice demands from the Brussels non-profit sector regarding ACS positions (frozen since 2007) and insufficient sector financing.
This content was automatically translated. The original version is in French. Read the French version.
Source: Brussels Governance Monitor — independent civic monitoring of Brussels governance.