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title: "Brussels Press Review — Tuesday 5 May 2026" date: 2026-05-05 tags: [news, brussels, press-review] lang: en image: "/news/covers/2026/05/2026-05-05-cover.png" summary: "Four towers proposed for Brussels North district as Nor project consultation opens, a study reveals 104,000 people suffer severe sleep disruption from airport noise, a national strike set for 12 May threatens flights and public transport, and Anderlecht names Antoine Sibierski as sporting director 50 years to the day after their first European Cup triumph."

Brussels Press Review — Tuesday 5 May 2026

A daily roundup of Brussels news from BX1, RTBF, and the Brussels Times.

🏛️ Politics & Governance

Public Consultation Opens for Four New Towers at Brussels North

A public consultation has been launched for the new version of the Nor project — four towers between 50 and 105 metres high proposed for the former CCN site opposite Brussels North Station. The project, renamed Nor.Bruxsels, includes 518 homes, over 80,000 m² of office and commercial space, and 751 parking spots. Brussels' Chief Architect Lisa De Visscher welcomed the fact that the revised plans correct earlier mistakes, opening up the original station façade and creating public space — though she is pushing for social housing within the residential towers. The consultation runs until 2 June, with the committee meeting set for 15 June. — Brussels Times

National Demonstration Set for 12 May — Flights and Transport Disrupted

A national trade union demonstration will hit Brussels on Monday 12 May, with unions denouncing the federal government's socio-economic reforms to pensions and working conditions. Brussels Airport has confirmed that just over half of departing passenger flights are expected to be cancelled. STIB/MIVB warns its metro, tram, and bus services will be affected, while De Lijn and LeTec also anticipate disruptions. Bruxelles Propreté says catch-up bin collections will likely be organised. Bpost says it is still too early to assess the impact. Shops and hospitals are not expected to be significantly affected. — Brussels Times

Flemish Government Reaches Agreement on Bottleneck Dossiers

The Flemish government has reached an agreement on several bottleneck dossiers that had been stalling the coalition. Details of the deal have not been fully disclosed, but the breakthrough is seen as important for maintaining political stability in Flanders, with potential knock-on effects for inter-regional cooperation on Brussels-related files. — Brussels Times

🚔 Security & Society

Brussels Flight Paths Disrupt Sleep of Over 104,000 People

A new annual study on aircraft noise around Brussels Airport reveals that more than 104,000 people suffer severely disrupted sleep due to take-offs and landings — a 2.5% increase on the previous year. Nearly 60% of those affected live in the Brussels-Capital Region, with the City of Brussels (16,643), Schaerbeek (12,924), Molenbeek-Saint-Jean (10,596), and Evere (7,039) the hardest-hit communes. The study also found notable increases in Molenbeek (+54%) and Koekelberg (+47%), attributed to a new landing procedure for runway 07L. In total, 207,479 people experienced significant noise nuisance during the day. — BX1

Molenbeek Grants Honorary Citizenship to Victims of Racist Violence, One Year On

Exactly one year after racist violence erupted in Molenbeek at the hands of Club Brugge hooligans ahead of the Belgian Cup final, the commune held a solemn ceremony at its town hall. Honorary citizenship was awarded to the victims of the 4 May attacks and to the youth collective "Je suis la Belgique", which organised a symbolic march from Molenbeek to Bruges to promote reconciliation. At the judicial level, the investigation is now closed, with three individuals facing referral to the criminal court for assault and battery with the aggravating factor of racist or discriminatory motive. — BX1

Tuition Fees for Non-EU Students Soar at Brussels Universities

Tuition fees for non-EU students at Brussels universities are set to rise to what campaigners describe as "unaffordable" levels. The increase, which could bring annual fees to around €17,500, has sparked concern among student associations who warn it will exclude talented students from developing countries and damage the international character of Brussels' higher education institutions. The move comes amid broader debates about funding for Belgium's French-speaking universities. — Brussels Times

Cristina Amboldi Joins Minister-President Dilliès' Cabinet

Cristina Amboldi, the former director-general of Actiris — Brussels' regional employment agency — has joined the cabinet of Brussels Minister-President Boris Dilliès (MR) as an advisor for professional training. Amboldi resigned from Actiris at the end of March, citing a lack of adequate working conditions and respect from the political world for the senior civil service. Her appointment to Dilliès' team signals the region's ambition to push towards a 70% employment rate in Brussels. — BX1

🚇 Mobility & Urban Life

Roof Fire on Boulevard Stalingrad Spreads to Neighbouring Home

Brussels firefighters were deployed to Boulevard Stalingrad on Monday afternoon for a roof fire that spread from one house to a neighbouring building. The fire, likely accidental, started during renovation works — workers were using a blowtorch for zinc installation in the gutter. No one was injured, though one firefighter suffered heatstroke (since recovered). The building where the fire started has been declared uninhabitable. — BX1

Two Arteries in Uccle Now Limited to 30 km/h

The speed limit on Avenue Wolvendael and Avenue Jean et Pierre Carsoel in Uccle dropped to 30 km/h as of Monday 4 May, as part of the commune's mobility plan. The change comes in the wake of the recent reopening of the Carsoel bridge and aims to improve safety on roads described as having a "complex" configuration — lacking dedicated cycling infrastructure, sharing space with tram lines, and susceptible to risky driving. — BX1

Coach Operators Reel from Fuel Price Surge

The latest fuel price hike — with petrol reaching its highest level since July 2022 — is hitting Brussels coach operators hard during the spring holiday period. While some large companies are absorbing the extra cost on trips booked months in advance, smaller operators are already adjusting prices. "Coach companies are very worried, some have already lost thousands of euros since the Middle East crisis," said the Belgian coach federation. Despite the pressures, around 16,000 Brussels residents are still travelling by coach this holiday period. — BX1

⚽ Sports

Anderlecht Appoints Antoine Sibierski as Sporting Director

Anderlecht has named Frenchman Antoine Sibierski, 51, as its new sporting director with immediate effect. Sibierski arrives from Troyes, part of the City Football Group, and succeeds Olivier Renard, who left the club in February. The former midfielder — who played for Manchester City, Newcastle, and Lens during his career — will oversee the sporting policy of all professional teams including the women's and U23 sides, as well as the scouting and performance departments. — BX1

Fifty Years Ago Today: Anderlecht's First European Cup

On 5 May 1976, Anderlecht lifted its first European trophy — the Cup Winners' Cup — making history as the first Belgian club to win a European competition. The Brussels club defeated West Ham United 4-2 in the final at the Heysel Stadium, with goals from Rob Rensenbrink (2) and François Van der Elst (2). The anniversary is being marked exactly 50 years to the day, with the club reflecting on the moment that put Belgian football on the European map. — RTBF

Belgian FA Opens Investigation into Christian Burgess' Refereeing Comments

The Belgian FA's prosecutor has opened an investigation into Union Saint-Gilloise captain Christian Burgess, following his criticism of the refereeing after Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Saint-Trond. Burgess, whose side played the entire match with ten men after Kevin Mac Allister's early red card, suggested that "referees always blow in favour of Union" — implying bias. The prosecutor will analyse whether the comments warrant a sanction, with a decision expected by next Monday. — BX1

🎭 Culture & Events

Zinneke Parade Preparations in Full Swing

With just under four weeks to go until the 14th edition of the Zinneke Parade, preparations are intensifying across the city's zinnodes — the neighbourhood-based creative workshops where the parade's floats, costumes, and performances are conceived. This year's theme is "dreams", and the parade promises to once again transform the streets of central Brussels into a sprawling celebration of urban creativity, diversity, and collective imagination. — BX1

Nine Belgian Restaurants Earn New Michelin Stars — Brussels Falls Short

Nine restaurants across Belgium were awarded new Michelin stars in the latest edition of the prestigious guide, but Brussels fared poorly in this year's selection. The result has reignited debate about the capital's standing in Belgium's gastronomic landscape, with some restaurateurs pointing to high operating costs and a different dining culture compared to Flanders and Wallonia. The Queen Elisabeth Cello Competition also continues this week at Flagey, with the first rounds running until Friday 9 May. — Brussels Times / BRUZZ

Two Europe Days, One Question: When Do You Celebrate?

With Europe Day falling on 9 May and the Council of Europe celebrating its own Europe Day on 5 May, Brussels — as the de facto capital of Europe — finds itself with two competing dates for the continental celebration. The European Commission is organising a major event on the Grand-Place on Saturday 9 May, while 5 May marks the anniversary of the Council of Europe's founding in 1949. The dual celebration reflects the layered institutional reality of a city that hosts both EU and broader European institutions. — Brussels Times

📡 Looking Ahead

Press review compiled from BX1, RTBF, and The Brussels Times. All sources accessed on 5 May 2026.