Brussels Daily Press Review

26 March 2026 · 🌟 Manneken Pis

🏛️ Politics & Security

Bernard Quintin Fails to Calm Police Union Tensions — Strikes Still On

Interior Minister Bernard Quintin met with police unions on Wednesday in a bid to de-escalate growing tensions over working conditions and staffing levels, but his efforts fell short. The police strike actions remain on the table, with unions rejecting the minister’s proposals and warning of continued disruption to services across the capital. (BX1)

Two Police Officers Named in Three Separate In-Custody Death Cases

Two Brussels police officers have been implicated in three distinct cases of people dying while in police custody. The cases are now under formal judicial review. The revelations have intensified scrutiny of police practices and added fuel to the ongoing dispute between officers and the government. (BX1)

Carjacking Ends in High-Speed Police Chase Through Schaerbeek

A carjacking incident in Brussels triggered a dramatic high-speed police chase through the streets of Schaerbeek on Tuesday. Officers pursued the suspects through residential neighbourhoods before making an arrest. No injuries were reported. (Brussels Times)

A security guard and two police officers were injured at a social services centre in Anderlecht, following an incident that required significant emergency service deployment. The circumstances of the assault are under investigation. (Brussels Times)

Witnesses Sought After Monday’s Bomb Alert Chaos at Brussels-Midi

Brussels-Midi station was thrown into chaos on Monday when a bomb alert led to evacuation and significant rail disruption. Police are now appealing for witnesses who may have filmed or observed events during the alert. (Brussels Times)

🚗 Transport & Urban Life

Brussels Parking Policy Sparks Wave of Resident Complaints

Brussels has seen a sharp increase in complaints from residents about the city’s parking policy, with citizens protesting changes that they say restrict access to public space and disproportionately affect certain neighbourhoods. The commune-level discontent is being escalated to regional authorities. (Brussels Times)

Brussels Ramping Up Rubbish Clean-Up After Bags Pile Up on Streets

Brussels is intensifying street cleaning operations following a period in which bin bags accumulated on pavements across several communes, a direct result of recent waste collection strikes. Arrose-Services and Bruxelles-Propreté crews are working extended hours to clear the backlog. (Brussels Times)

LEZ Confusion: Brussels Government Seeks Workaround Over New Fines

Confusion reigns over the new Low Emission Zone fine system in Brussels, with vehicle owners reporting inconsistent enforcement and unclear rules on which vehicles are affected. The Brussels government says it is working on clarifying the regulations and addressing the technical issues behind the discrepancies. (Brussels Times)

💶 Economy & Finance

National Bank of Belgium Posts €1.52 Billion Loss in 2025

The National Bank of Belgium has recorded a loss of €1.52 billion for the 2025 financial year, a result attributed to mark-to-market losses on its bond portfolio and the low interest rate environment squeezing its margins. The figures have implications for the Belgian state’s public finances and the bank’s dividend capacity. (Brussels Times)

🎭 Culture & Events

Couleur Café Adds 13 Names: Skepta, Freddie Gibbs, Kalash, Blu Samu Headline

The Couleur Café festival has unveiled 13 new additions to its 2026 summer line-up, led by UK grime pioneer Skepta, American rapper Freddie Gibbs, French-Zimbabwean artist Kalash, and Brussels’ own Blu Samu. The announcement confirms the festival’s continued ambition to blend international star power with local talent. (BX1) · (Brussels Times)

55th Brussels Book Fair Opens Thursday With Record Programme

The 55th edition of the Foire du Livre de Bruxelles opens its doors on Thursday, promising a programme packed with new releases, author encounters, and debates. Organisers say this year marks a significant step forward in the fair’s ambition to become a major European literary event. (BX1)

Iconic Brussels Club Madame Moustache Enters Insolvency

Madame Moustache, the celebrated Brussels nightlife venue known for its live music programme and eclectic atmosphere, has entered formal insolvency proceedings. The club’s closure would mark the end of an era for Brussels’ cultural scene and adds to concerns about the city’s nightlife economy. (Brussels Times)

🏥 Health & Society

Visit.brussels Staff Petition Against Regional Budget Cuts

Staff at Visit.brussels have launched a petition opposing the budget cuts being considered by the Brussels Region for the tourism promotion agency. Workers warn the reductions would cripple the organisation’s ability to market the capital and support cultural events, calling the move short-sighted ahead of the summer season. (BX1) · (Brussels Times)

New Community Health Centre Inaugurated at Peterbos to Address GP Shortage

A brand new community health centre has opened its doors at the Peterbos housing estate in Anderlecht, specifically designed to address the acute shortage of general practitioners in the area. The facility will serve a population that has long struggled to access primary care. (BX1)

🌍 International

Should Belgium Intervene in the Middle East? Debate Rages On

As the conflict in the Middle East enters its fourth week, Belgium continues to face pressure over what role it should play — diplomatically, economically, or militarily. A parliamentary debate drew arguments on all sides, with concerns about energy prices and domestic security weighing heavily on the discussion. (BX1)

NATO Confronts Missile Threat Surge — Calls for Greater Defence Investment

NATO is warning of a significant increase in missile threats across Europe and calling on member states to accelerate investment in air and missile defence capabilities. The Brussels-based alliance says the security environment has fundamentally changed and that defence spending commitments must be met without delay. (Brussels Times)

Iran War Consequences Weigh on Euro Zone Recovery

The economic fallout from the Iran conflict is deepening uncertainty for the euro zone’s fragile recovery, with energy prices volatile and trade disruptions mounting. EU finance ministers are under pressure to coordinate a response as growth forecasts are revised downward. (Brussels Times)

EU Asylum Claims Drop 27% in 2025 — Venezuela Surpasses Syria

The number of asylum applications lodged in EU countries fell by 27% in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to new figures. For the first time, Venezuelan nationals topped the list of applicants, surpassing Syrian nationals. The trend reflects both changing global migration patterns and stricter EU border policies. (Brussels Times)

Clocks Go Forward This Sunday — Daylight Saving Time Returns

Belgium and the rest of the EU will switch to summer time in the early hours of Sunday 29 March, when clocks move forward one hour at 02:00. The twice-yearly clock change remains a subject of debate at EU level, where attempts to abolish the practice have so far stalled. (RTBF) · (Brussels Times)

Sources: BX1 · BRUZZ · RTBF · Brussels Times — Compiled 26 March 2026