610 days
since the elections of 9 June 2024
The Brussels-Capital Region is operating in 'caretaker mode': the outgoing government handles daily affairs but cannot take any new political decisions or approve a new budget.
Brussels has been without a fully empowered government since June 2024. This site shows what is progressing, what is blocked, and what is known with certainty — based on verifiable public sources.
Brussels has had no real government for over a year. This site shows you what is still working, what has stopped, and why.
Latest event — 8 February 2026
On 8 February 2026, the MR president announces an unprecedented 7-party negotiation process to form a Brussels government. Configuration: MR, PS, Les Engagés on the French-speaking side; Groen, Vooruit, Anders (ex-Open VLD), CD&V on the Dutch-speaking side. A first meeting is convened for Monday 9 February.
Political initiativeBGM makes visible what is happening (or not happening) in Brussels without a government.
Every data point is sourced, every metric is verifiable, every analysis is transparent.
Because a democracy needs informed citizens, especially in times of crisis.
What is blocked, delayed, or degraded due to the absence of government
Last updated: 8 February 2026
Without a new government, the Brussels-Capital Region operates on provisional twelfths. No new budget, no new investments. Inflation erodes the real value of existing expenditure.
Provisional twelfths
Budget regime
~1.241billion EUR
Annual budget deficit (2025)
Voted 12/12/2025covers Q1 2026
Provisional twelfths (5th ordinance)
15.65billion EUR (x3 since 2016)
Consolidated gross debt
62,234 households are waiting for social housing (a historical record), the Housing Fund has suspended all its loans, and the Region cannot launch any new programmes. The gap between supply and demand widens every month.
62 234
Households waiting for social housing
42 000units
Social housing stock
412EUR/month
Average social rent
1 321EUR/month
Average private market rent
Brussels CPAS face a surge in applications linked to the unemployment reform, COCOM bicommunal investments are frozen, homelessness policy is at a standstill and new mental health initiatives are blocked. Iriscare operates in minimal mode.
In caretaker mode
COCOM funding
~47 000persons
Social Integration Income recipients
Frozen
Homelessness policy
0projects launched
Mental health (new initiatives)
Brussels climate targets (-47% CO2 by 2030) remain without new resources. Renolution grants have been reduced, new phases of the Air-Climate-Energy Plan (PACE) are frozen, and no structural investment can be decided in caretaker mode.
-47%vs 2005 (Fit for 55)
2030 CO2 reduction target
Diesel Euro 5 bannedsince 01/01/2026 (~225,000 vehicles)
LEZ reinforced
42.2million EUR unpaid
Renolution grants (backlog)
Frozen
Climate Plan (new phases)
Brussels unemployment is rising (+4.4% in one year) while the federal reform excludes 42,000 Brussels residents from benefits. In caretaker mode, the Region cannot launch new employment programmes or fully respond to the crisis.
96 650
Jobseekers (Dec. 2025)
15.4%+4.4% over 1 year
Unemployment rate (admin.)
+3.4%year-on-year change
Youth unemployment
42 000cumulative estimate
Excluded from benefits (Jan. 2026 – Jul. 2027)
Metro 3 (North-South line to Bordet), tunnel renovation, and new phases of Good Move are awaiting political decisions. STIB continues its day-to-day operations.
Suspended
Metro 3 (new phases)
161million EUR frozen (permits obtained)
Loi-Belliard Tunnel
+255%vs initial budget, horizon 2034+
Metro 3 (budget overrun)
Frozen
Good Move (new phases)
Realistic, documented, and sourced exit paths
The Brussels political parties eventually reach a coalition agreement on a comprehensive government programme. A formateur appointed by Parliament negotiates the ministerial portfolios and policy content.
A few months
The Brussels political parties represented in Parliament
Federal Belgium: after 541 days without a government, formation of the Di Rupo government (2010-2011). Then 494 days before the De Croo government (2019-2020). (Belgium, 2011)
Parliament tables a constructive motion of no confidence against the caretaker government, accompanied by a candidate for minister-president and a programme
Immediate
An absolute majority of parliamentarians in each of the two linguistic groups of the Brussels Parliament
The parties agree on a short government programme limited to emergencies: passing the budget, absorbing European funds, and unblocking critical pending matters. No comprehensive coalition agreement.
A few weeks
The Brussels political parties, under pressure from social and economic stakeholders
A government formed without an absolute majority, operating on a case-by-case basis with shifting majorities depending on the issue
A few weeks
Parties willing to govern without a guaranteed majority, with the tacit agreement of the opposition not to table a motion of no confidence
Denmark, Sweden, Norway (common in Scandinavia), Canada. Never done in Belgium. (Denmark, 2022)
The federal Chamber of Representatives votes by a two-thirds majority to dissolve the Brussels Parliament and organise new regional elections. The King then sets the date of the ballot.
Several years
The Chamber of Representatives (federal Parliament) — two-thirds majority required
A government composed of non-partisan experts, appointed to manage the Region's affairs outside the logic of classical coalition politics
A few weeks
Consensus among parties represented in the Brussels Parliament to temporarily relinquish executive power
Italy (Monti 2011, Draghi 2021), never in Belgium (Italy, 2021)
How the absence of government concretely affects the Brussels economy
4 sectors impacted
3 sectors impacted
4 sectors impacted
4 sectors impacted
4 sectors impacted
4 sectors impacted
4 sectors impacted
4 sectors impacted
4 sectors impacted
3 sectors impacted
4 sectors impacted
Educational explanations to go further