Saint-Gilles: active participation, no livestream

A dense and vibrant municipality

Saint-Gilles is a dense municipality of nearly 50,000 inhabitants over 2.53 km², known for its cultural life and social diversity. The PS-Ecolo coalition was renewed for the 2024-2030 term. The PTB became the second political force (24.4%, 9 seats).

Transparency: 3 out of 6 criteria

The budget is published online and the mandate registry is accessible via the transparency page. Citizen participation is active with the Citizen Budget Midi (EUR 300,000) and a permanent citizen council. However, no confirmed council livestream, minutes are only partially online, and no Open Data portal.

Citizen participation: Citizen Budget Midi

Saint-Gilles stands out with its Citizen Budget Midi of EUR 300,000 via the 21solutions platform, garnering 6,738 votes. A permanent citizen council complements the participatory framework.

Recent developments

The Saint-Gilles prison, whose closure had long been announced, will see its use extended until 2035 under the federal Masterplan III penitentiary programme. On 3 March 2026, the Water Bearer statue (iconic fountain on the parvis) was removed for restoration.

Escalation of drug-related violence (15-18 April 2026)

Three serious incidents hit Saint-Gilles over four nights, in the context of a territorial war between criminal organisations linked to drug trafficking.

Reaction from Mayor Jean Spinette (PS): scene described as "hallucinatory", particularly after a school was directly hit. He speaks of "gangrene" for the municipality and calls for reinforced investigative capacity. Explicit stance: "Brussels does not need soldiers, but investigators and patrols to secure residents' nights."

Police deployment: reinforced presence announced day and night, mobilisation of the communal Prevention Service, additional federal resources. A meeting with affected residents is organised with police and the prevention service.

Sources: RTBF (18 April 2026); BX1 — reinforced deployment (18 April); BX1 — rue de Bosnie (16 April); La DH (16 April); L'Avenir (18 April). Confidence: official (police, mayor, corroborating press).