BGM Digest — Week 25 (15-21 June 2026)

Plan Gares and major government breakthroughs

The week was marked by several government breakthroughs on 17 and 18 June. The Plan Gares, allocated 10 million EUR annually, was approved on 18 June for Brussels-North and Brussels-South stations: deployment of approximately 60 cameras, enhanced cleaning and initial measures from 2027. This advance falls within the mobility domain and aims to transform spaces under the railway tracks into secure public areas.

In parallel, a demolition permit for the partial dismantling of the Palais du Midi was issued on 17 June, lifting the main administrative hurdle for the Metro Line 3 tunnel link. Enhanced heritage protections govern this operation. The security plan dossier is also advancing with confirmation of a regional drugs commissioner, budgeted at 1.5 million EUR annually from 2027.

Housing and Be Home allowance

On 18 June, government approved in first reading a doubling of the Be Home allowance: it will increase from 164 to 328 euros annually in 2027 for owner-occupants, benefiting approximately 200,000 Brussels households. This measure constitutes additional tax expenditure in the path to budget equilibrium by 2029. See housing card →

Employment and social tensions

The Brussels labour market clearly deteriorated in 2025 according to IBSA's 18 June economic outlook: employee jobs held by residents decline to 352,200 persons (−4,500 annually, first decline in over ten years), and temporary work falls to levels comparable to 2021 lockdowns.

Two major labour conflicts crystallized this week. The union federation filed an indefinite strike notice on 16 June at Molenbeek's PCSW (Public Centre for Social Welfare) against drastic cuts: halving of year-end bonuses and elimination of approximately 40 positions. Meanwhile, nine of twelve Brussels sheltered workshops held strikes on 15 June, demanding a sectoral agreement on meal vouchers. See social domain →

Responsible digital and data infrastructure

A new dossier was created for Brussels' responsible digital policy: extending IT equipment lifespan (from 4 to 6 years) reduces carbon footprint by approximately 36 %, saving approximately 230 tonnes annually if extended to Brussels administrations. The climate context remains critical: the global ICT sector accounts for approximately 4 % of greenhouse gas emissions.

Early childhood and budget cuts

The French Community legislative decree, finally adopted 5 June, records 74 million EUR cuts to early childhood services (annual budget 719 million EUR). Key measure: abandonment of the MILAC system, which was to finance raising caregiver ratios from 1 to 1.5 per 7 children as of 2026; it will not be implemented. Unindexed ONE subsidies yield 7.8 million EUR; an emergency fund of 43 million EUR (57 M in 2027) must absorb ONE debt of 75 million EUR. See early childhood dossier →

Homelessness and wellbeing

The Social Barometer 2025 (released 16 April, data integrated) highlights deterioration: 9,777 homeless persons counted in Brussels, an increase of 25 % in two years. Among these, approximately 1,678 minors. Simultaneously, 47,304 beneficiaries of the social integration income (RIS) were recorded as of 1 January 2025—more than in Flanders despite five times smaller population. See wellbeing dossier →

Security incidents

News on the security front reveals localized tensions. An incident marked the Music Festival in Aumale (Anderlecht) on 20 June, following clashes causing 4 injured and 1 arrest. The municipality conditions the event's return on site security, already targeted since May by police concentration against drug trafficking. An information meeting for residents was scheduled 24 June concerning opening of a Samusocial reception centre in Uccle (230 places, 35 staff, opening 14 July).

New cross-cutting measures

Institutional progress was also made: appointment of the Director General of Environment (Leefmilieu Brussel) after more than three years of blockage (18 June), and annulation by the Constitutional Court of the ordinance requiring opening of the Stoclet Palace (18 June)—a matter of property rights and privacy. STIB also announced discontinuation of its multimodal app Floya on 31 December 2026, citing impending ban on shared scooters and insufficient active user growth.

See all domains → | See radar →