BGM Digest — Week 14 (30 March — 5 April 2026)

LEZ agreement finalized: fines from June 7

After the Brussels government's first 50-day crisis, the LEZ agreement was finalized on April 4. Fines will take effect on June 7, 2026. The annual pass is set at EUR 350, with a reduced social rate of EUR 200 and a monthly option at EUR 80. A taskforce handling exemptions must complete its work before June 15.

The crisis, which pitted PS, Groen, and Anders over exemption conditions and BRAL/IEB subsidies, was resolved within four days. This marks the first cohesion test for the seven-party coalition since its formation.

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Major infrastructure investments approved

The Region approves EUR 150 million for the Heysel Congress Center (April 3). The project's total cost reaches EUR 400 million, with a capacity of 20,000 seats. This center will be run by a private company led by Brussels Expo.

Meanwhile, the building permit for the Lake Side project (Tour & Taxis) was issued on April 2. The operation includes 670 apartments, of which 166 are social housing, a 127-meter tower, and a total investment of EUR 555 million over 8 years.

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Security: reinforcement and mixed signals

The Brussels-North zone records a drop in overall crime of −12 % in 2025. However, drug-related offences increased by +53 % (1,333 reports), and arrests rose by +11 %, with prosecutions climbing +147 %.

Security reinforcement accelerates: 45 additional military personnel deployed from April 3 in stations and metro lines, bringing total military street presence to approximately 245 officers. This measure fits a context of elevated threat, yet legal ambiguity persists: the Defence Code has not yet been voted by Parliament.

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Budget: return of banking confidence

The Region obtained a EUR 500 million credit line from ING for two years (renewable) on April 2. This agreement marks the return of Belgium's leading bank after its withdrawal in late 2025. Combined with credit lines from Deutsche Bank (EUR 250 million over 3 years) and Belfius (EUR 50 million), short-term liquidity now reaches EUR 800 million.

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Housing: persistent tensions and permits issued

An audit of the Foyer Anderlechtois revealed major governance gaps, including an exemption committee operating outside the legal framework. Meanwhile, a BRUZZ investigation shows that 90 % of 2,788 documented Airbnb units operate illegally. The City of Brussels has recovered 515 properties to date.

The "We Are Nature" ordinance (April 3) provides that projects exceeding 0.5 hectares will continue with mandatory climate and GHG information, without an effective moratorium.

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Unemployment: third wave and CPAS saturation

The third wave of unemployment reform (April 1) excluded 11,215 Brussels residents, the largest to date. 41.5 % of these people turned to municipal social assistance centers (CPAS). Cumulative exclusions since January reach approximately 33,085 people in Brussels.

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Employment: resignation of Actiris director-general

Cristina Amboldi, director-general of Actiris, resigned on March 28, citing lack of consultation on EUR 40 million in imposed cost savings. Caroline Mancel, deputy director-general, also ends her mandate on April 1. A management committee assumes functions; recruitment of new leadership must begin.

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Culture: budget cuts and cancellations

Visit.Brussels faces a budget reduction of EUR 5.7 million in 2026 amid regional austerity. The 2026 Comic Strip Festival is cancelled, and the Iris Festival is reduced to one day. The agency follows a reduction trajectory from EUR 22 million to EUR 8 million by 2029. Approximately 90 jobs out of 160 are threatened.

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Institutional tensions: Cinquantenaire Park and MR leadership

An administrative notice from Urban.brussels sanctioned the City of Brussels for concrete blocks placed without a permit at the Cinquantenaire Park, a protected zone. This tension between MR (region) and PS/Vooruit (city), just 37 days after government formation, reveals early fault lines.

MR Brussels leadership also draws attention: Dominique Weytsman and Charles Coomans de Brachène are candidates, with voting on April 21-24.

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