---
title: "Brussels Daily Press Review — 2026-09-23"
date: 2026-09-23
lang: en
summary: "Brussels budget debate puts austerity alternatives back on the table — and more Brussels news of the day."
tags: ["news","brussels","press-review"]
image: "/news/covers/2026/09/2026-09-23-cover.png"
---
# Brussels Daily Press Review — 2026-09-23
*Clear skies, 12 to 22 degrees: Brussels finally found a budget everyone can agree on, at least for the weather.*

## TL;DR
Main Brussels stories today:
- **Brussels budget debate puts austerity alternatives back on the table.** Brussels budget talks are again centred on whether the Region must follow an austerity path.
- Apartment prices in Brussels increased again in the first half of 2026.
- A public social welfare office in Jette was targeted by a false bomb threat.
- One person was injured after an alleged attack with a bladed weapon in Brussels' European Quarter.

## 🌤️ Weather
☀️ Clear in Brussels today — between 12°C and 22°C (now 12°C).

## Brussels budget debate puts austerity alternatives back on the table
Brussels budget talks are again centred on whether the Region must follow an austerity path. One proposal argues that alternatives exist, keeping the focus on how the capital should balance its finances and public services.

Source:
- [Budget bruxellois : “Il existe une alternative à l’austérité” - BX1](https://bx1.be/dossiers/bonsoir-bruxelles/budget-bruxellois-il-existe-une-alternative-a-lausterite/)

## Brussels flat prices rose again in early 2026
Apartment prices in Brussels increased again in the first half of 2026. The latest figures compare prices by municipality, including which commune is the most expensive for buyers.

Source:
- [Brussels flat prices rise again in first half of 2026 - Which municipality is most ex... - Brussels Times](https://www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/2328439/brussels-flat-prices-rise-again-in-first-half-of-2026-which-municipality-is-most-expensive/)

## Jette public welfare office hit by false bomb threat
A public social welfare office in Jette was targeted by a false bomb threat. The alert affected a frontline municipal service used by residents seeking social support.

Source:
- [False bomb threat at public social welfare office in Jette - Brussels Times](https://www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/2328335/false-bomb-threat-at-public-social-welfare-office-in-jette/)

## One person injured in EU Quarter bladed-weapon attack
One person was injured after an alleged attack with a bladed weapon in Brussels' European Quarter. The incident adds to public safety concerns in one of the capital's busiest office and institutional districts.

Source:
- [One injured after reported attack with 'bladed weapon' in Brussels EU Quarter - Brussels Times](https://www.brusselstimes.com/brussels/2328229/one-injured-after-reported-attack-in-elsene-with-bladed-weapon/)

## Police publish images of suspects in Anderlecht arson case
Police have released images of suspects sought in connection with an arson case in Anderlecht. The appeal is aimed at identifying people linked to the fire investigation.

Source:
- [Police spread images of suspects arson Anderlecht - Brussels Times](https://www.brusselstimes.com/brussels/2328204/police-spread-images-of-suspects-arson-anderlecht/)

## City Council still undecided on Brussels Grand Casino concession
Brussels City Council has not yet reached a decision on the Grand Casino concession. The unresolved choice keeps a major city-centre leisure and revenue file open at municipal level.

Source:
- [Brussels City Council remains undecided on Grand Casino concession - Brussels Times](https://www.brusselstimes.com/brussels/2327909/brussels-city-council-remains-undecided-on-grand-casino-concession/)

## Breast cancer campaign urges awareness of nine warning signs
Pink Ribbon is urging people to better recognise the nine warning signs of breast cancer. The campaign focuses on early awareness and knowing when changes should prompt medical attention.

Source:
- [Cancer du sein: Pink Ribbon appelle à mieux connaître les neuf signaux d’alarme - BX1](https://bx1.be/categories/news/cancer-du-sein-pink-ribbon-appelle-a-mieux-connaitre-les-neuf-signaux-dalarme/)

## Belgian court to decide autonomously on Mohamed Bakkali release
Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden said the sentence enforcement court will decide fully autonomously on the possible conditional release of Mohamed Bakkali, described as the logistician of the 2015 Paris attacks. France's justice minister Gérald Darmanin said such a release would be seen in France as an insult to the victims.

Source:
- [Verlinden over mogelijke vrijlating Bakkali: rechtbank beslist 'volledig autonoom' - BRUZZ](https://www.bruzz.be/actua/justitie/verlinden-over-mogelijke-vrijlating-bakkali-rechtbank-beslist-volledig-autonoom-2026-09-23)