Saint-Josse-ten-Noode: densest municipality, re-elections

Belgium's densest municipality

Saint-Josse-ten-Noode is the smallest (1.16 km²) and densest municipality in Belgium (~23,185 inhabitants/km²). After the annulment of the October 2024 elections due to irregularities (proxy voting), a new vote was held on 9 February 2025. Emir Kir (independent, ex-PS) reinforced his absolute majority to 18/29 seats (55.6%).

Transparency: 3 out of 6 criteria

The budget is published online, the council has been broadcast via livestream on YouTube since 2018, and the mandate registry is accessible. Council minutes are partial (publication delays reported), citizen participation is limited to advisory councils, and there is no Open Data portal.

Financial crisis and regional supervision

Saint-Josse is placed under regional financial supervision due to a deficit of EUR 30 million. To restore the finances, the municipality has taken drastic measures: a massive increase in property tax (PRI) from 2,980 to 4,090 additional centimes (the steepest rise in the Region), and the abolition of the municipal staff year-end bonus. A fatal shooting in January 2026 reignited security concerns.

A unique political context

The annulled and re-held elections constitute a unique case in the history of Brussels municipalities. The PS and Ecolo are excluded from any coalition by the outgoing mayor.