Brussels Press Review — Saturday 14 March 2026

🏛️ Politics & Governance

DéFI challenges Brussels police zone merger at Parliament

DéFI has filed a conflict of interest motion at the Brussels Parliament against the federal government’s plan to merge the capital’s six police zones into one. Deputy Cécile Jodogne says the party wants time to analyse the financial and organisational impact, calling for genuine consultation between the federal level, the Region and the communes — which, she says, has not yet taken place. The reform has faced criticism from most Brussels mayors, Brulocalis, and the Council of State. (RTBF)

PVDA-PTB by far the largest party in Brussels — new poll

A new poll puts the communist PVDA-PTB at 25.5% in Brussels, well ahead of PS (18.4%), MR (16.4%) and Les Engagés (11.7%). Ecolo and DéFI trail at 7.1% and 4.5%. At the Flemish level, N-VA and Vlaams Belang are neck and neck around 25%. The liberal rebranded party Anders hovers just above the electoral threshold at 5.6%. (BRUZZ)

Budget austerity debate: Maron vs Barzin on cuts

Former Ecolo minister Alain Maron denounced 25–30% budget cuts to Bruxelles Propreté and Bruxelles Environnement, questioning how the government can credibly promise no layoffs. MR deputy Clémentine Barzin countered that it’s a hiring freeze on departures, not job cuts, and called for better-targeted spending. The budget goes to committee on Monday and a plenary vote on 27 March. (BX1)

🔒 Security & Justice

Rotterdam synagogue attack linked to Liège — federal investigation underway

An explosion and arson hit a Rotterdam synagogue overnight Thursday–Friday. A claim video with the same Iranian-linked branding as last week’s Liège synagogue attack has surfaced. The Belgian federal prosecutor confirms it is analysing the links. Rotterdam’s mayor condemned the act. (RTBF)

Five suspects jailed for kidnapping young man in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert

Five suspects have been remanded in custody for the kidnapping and assault of a young man lured via Snapchat to Opwijk station in February. He was held in a garage in the Andromeda neighbourhood and tortured while his captors demanded €50,000 ransom. Police traced suspects through ANPR cameras and phone records. (BRUZZ)

Violent attack near Vilvoorde station — three suspects arrested

A teenager from Evere was arrested after a violent assault on a man near Vilvoorde station. Two other suspects were also picked up. (BRUZZ)

🚗 Transport & Mobility

Metro 3: four more years of civil engineering under Palais du Midi

STIB officials confirmed that the remaining civil works for the Metro 3 “missing link” — 120 metres of tunnel under the Palais du Midi — will take four years, potentially starting in 2027. The Avenue de Stalingrad surface works begin this autumn. Some €150 million has already been spent. The new line section would boost capacity by 20% on the north-south axis. (BX1)

Cycling in Brussels multiplied by eight in twenty years

The share of trips made by bike in Brussels rose from 1.2% to 9.4% over two decades, according to SPF Mobility data. Nearly half of cyclists (48%) now ride e-bikes. The Bike Brussels trade show spotlighted cargo bikes as the next growth segment. (BX1 · BX1)

BXL Tour 10th edition — 14 June

The 10th edition of the BXL Tour cycling event will take place on Sunday 14 June through the streets of Brussels. Registration opens this Saturday. (BX1 · BRUZZ)

🌃 Nightlife & Horeca

Ixelles unveils nightlife management plan

The commune of Ixelles presented “Ixelles, la nuit”, a new policy to manage its vibrant evening economy. Key measures: terraces must close at midnight on weekdays (1 AM weekends), night shops at 1 AM (2 AM weekends), extended cleanliness crews until 10 PM, and a pilot project against sexist and sexual violence. With 110,000 people and 40,000 students daily, the commune wants to balance its festive identity with residents’ quality of life. (BX1)

Saint-Gilles sanctions iconic cafés for late terraces

Brasserie Verschueren, L’Amère à boire and Le Louvre must close between 10 PM and 8 AM for one month after terrace violations. The cafés protest the sanctions as disproportionate. Mayor Jean Spinette (PS) says the rules are long-standing and respond to resident complaints. (BX1)

🎭 Culture & Society

Ten years after 22 March attacks: metro driver and medic testify

With the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Brussels attacks approaching, emergency nurse Serge Lisen and former metro driver Christian Delhasse shared their enduring trauma. Lisen recalls being unable to enter his phone PIN from shock; Delhasse says he still lives virtually as a recluse, haunted by the images and smells from Maelbeek station. (BX1)

First joint iftar and shabbat in Brussels

Standing Together, a Jewish-Palestinian peace movement from Israel, organised a joint iftar and shabbat dinner in Brussels on Friday evening. The event sold out instantly (50 places). Organiser Charlotte Van Coevorden pushed back against polarisation: “Many of us have friends across communities. This feels natural to us.” (BRUZZ)

Flagey saved — Flemish subsidies extended

Cultural venue Flagey breathes a sigh of relief after Flemish Culture Minister Caroline Gennez (Vooruit) confirmed the €910,000 annual subsidy. The venue had warned in January it could not survive past April without funding. The subsidy dispute stems from Flagey’s refusal to seat Vlaams Belang members on its board. (BRUZZ)

Zaventem Ateliers take over Villa Empain

Thirty designers from the Zaventem Ateliers collective have transformed every room of the art deco Villa Empain with experimental furniture — from reclaimed wood chairs to a fourteen-hand ping-pong table. The exhibition blurs the line between design and art. (BX1)

🛡️ Defence

BEDEX: Belgium’s first defence expo opens at Brussels Expo

The inaugural Belgian Defence Exhibition (BEDEX) opened at Brussels Expo with 200+ exhibitors from 27 countries across 20,000 m². Defence Minister Theo Francken (N-VA), PM Bart De Wever, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte attended. Amnesty International criticised the presence of Lockheed Martin. Saturday is open to the public. (BX1)

🌳 Environment & Living

Brussels government launches tender for six summer bars in parks

The Brussels government has published the tender for six guinguettes (summer bars) in regional parks: Henri (Georges Henri), Maurice (Cinquantenaire), Emile (Duden), Fabiola (Roi Baudouin), André (Laeken) and Vincent (Evere). Opening targeted for late April. State Secretary Ans Persoons said the bars boost safety and social life in parks. (BRUZZ)

Concerns over Flemish cuts to Brussels art academies

Worry is growing about potential Flemish government austerity measures that could affect arts academies in Brussels. Details are still emerging. (BRUZZ)