BGM DigestBGM Digest — Week 22 (25-31 May 2026)
Majority in Crisis at Brussels Parliament
The regional government experienced its first major breakdown in late May. A cross-party majority (MR, Anders, DéFI, N-VA, Ecolo) formed to create a parliamentary inquiry commission into the Foyer anderlechtois affair. The PS, sole opponent, threatened to no longer feel bound by the government agreement, while Anders made it a condition for remaining in government. DéFI seized the ethics commission and disputes the regularity of municipal elections held in October 2024.
On 28 May, the Brussels prosecutor's office searched the headquarters of a social real estate company (SISP) and the home of its president in a corruption investigation handed to the federal Central Anti-Corruption Office, following a broadcast reporting possible influence in social housing allocation. The presumption of innocence applies; allegations of patronage remain unconfirmed.
See the social housing dossier →
Saint-Josse Placed Under Coercive Guardianship
On 28 May, the Brussels Regional Government activated coercive guardianship over Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, at the initiative of the Minister for Local Affairs. The Region cites a cumulative deficit exceeding €30 million, a figure disputed by the municipality, which estimates the deficit at approximately €17 million.
Between 2025 and 2026, the Brussels Regional Debt Recovery Fund (FRBRTC) intervened three times for €21 million; the municipality requested a postponement for repaying a €7 million loan. The procedure provides for warnings followed by possible appointment of a special commissioner. This is the first coercive guardianship of a Brussels municipality since the Schaerbeek counter-window affair in 1976.
Security and Mobility: Divergent Restructurings
The Fire and Emergency Medical Services (SIAMU) presented a plan to reorganise guards that reduces staffing from 161 to 153 people per daily shift, following an earlier reduction from 173 to 161 in 2025. The removal of one fire engine at Anderlecht station and one ladder truck at the City station represents 8 fewer personnel. The trade union front (SLFP/VSOA) warns of danger to Brusselians' lives, while this trajectory contradicts the Regional Policy Decree's commitment to strengthen SIAMU.
In mobility, Viapass announced on 26 May an indexation effective 1 July 2026 of the kilometre charge for heavy goods vehicles. In Brussels, tariffs remain within existing ranges (€0.017–0.267/km on motorways, €0.024–0.390/km on local/regional roads). Wallonia increases by an average of +5.7%; Flanders introduces for the first time a CO₂ parameter with five emission classes.
Meanwhile, STIB suspends trams 8 and 93 between Bailli and Legrand from 1 June to 28 August for track renovation — bus 96 is extended to Legrand.
French-Speaking Education: Prolonged Strike and Validated Reform
The vote on the French Community (FWB) decree-programme, originally scheduled for 27 May, has been postponed to 10 June. The inter-union strike notice in the French-speaking education sector has been extended until 10 July, the last day of the school year.
On 26 May, approximately 400 headteachers from free Catholic, WBE and FELSI networks demonstrated in Brussels outside Engagés headquarters. A delegation was received by the party president. The same day, the reform of the first year of secondary education (Common Trunk) was validated in the FWB commission after 8 hours of debate. This community decision directly impacts approximately 165 French-speaking secondary schools in Brussels.
Radar Signal: Metro 3 in Technical Impasse
Within forty-eight hours, two divergent narratives emerged. The regional Mobility minister publicly acknowledged halting Metro 3 project, while Beliris's CEO (federal contracting authority) stated in parliament he never considered this. Simultaneously, a study argues for premetro extension as less risky alternative. The missing link (Palais du Midi) would require €75.119 million additional to the already committed €22.56 million, without feasibility guarantee.
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.