Brussels Daily Press Review — 2026-10-02

Cloudy Brussels, 12°C: even the property tax discounts are looking for shelter under my umbrella.

TL;DR

Main Brussels stories today:

• Brussels is losing 130 reception places with the closure of Samusocial’s WTC centre.
• Organisations are warning that digital inequality remains a major barrier in Belgium, with around 40% of Brussels residents affected.
• Property tax reform may cut relief for Brussels families with children. The Brussels government is reducing the property tax discount for households with two or more children.
• Metro services on lines 2 and 6 in Brussels were interrupted between Gare du Midi and Trône.

🌤️ Weather

☁️ Overcast in Brussels today — between 11°C and 20°C (now 12°C).

Brussels shelter loses 130 places as Samusocial closes WTC centre

Brussels is losing 130 reception places with the closure of Samusocial’s WTC centre. The shutdown reduces emergency accommodation capacity in the city as colder months approach.

Source:

• Bruxelles perd 130 places d’accueil avec la fermeture du centre WTC du Samusocial - RTBF

Digital divide affects around 40% of Brussels residents

Organisations are warning that digital inequality remains a major barrier in Belgium, with around 40% of Brussels residents affected. The issue concerns people who struggle to access or use online services, a growing problem as public and private services move online.

Sources:

• Près de quatre Belges sur dix sont en situation de vulnérabilité numérique - BX1
• Des organisations dénoncent les inégalités liées à la fracture numérique en Belgique… - BX1

Property tax reform may cut relief for Brussels families with children

The Brussels government is reducing the property tax discount for households with two or more children. Families with children could therefore lose part of an existing tax advantage under the planned reform.

Source:

• Gezinnen met kinderen dreigen gelag te betalen bij hervorming onroerende voorheffing - BRUZZ

Metro lines 2 and 6 interrupted between Midi and Trône

Metro services on lines 2 and 6 in Brussels were interrupted between Gare du Midi and Trône. The disruption affects one of the main east-west links through the city centre.

Source:

• Interruption des métros 2 et 6 à Bruxelles entre la gare du Midi et “Trône” - RTBF

Molenbeek approves 2025 accounts despite €11.6 million deficit

Molenbeek has approved its 2025 financial statement despite recording an €11.6 million deficit. The decision confirms a significant budget gap in one of Brussels’ largest communes.

Source:

• Molenbeek approves 2025 financial statement despite €11.6 million deficit - Brussels Times

Ecolo challenges possible Jean-Jacques De Gucht appointment at Kanal

Ecolo says the possible appointment of Jean-Jacques De Gucht at Kanal would go against the institution’s statutes. The dispute puts governance of the Brussels cultural institution back in the political spotlight.

Source:

• Kanal: Ecolo estime que la nomination de Jean-Jacques De Gucht contreviendrait aux st… - BX1

Brussels MR proposes sanctions for parliamentarians over serious misconduct

The Brussels MR wants parliamentarians to be sanctionable in cases of serious misconduct. The proposal would create a disciplinary mechanism inside Brussels parliamentary life.

Source:

• Le MR bruxellois veut pouvoir sanctionner les parlementaires en cas de manquement grave - BX1