Brussels Press Review — 11 March 2026

🚗 Transport & Mobility

Rail strike continues — reduced service through Wednesday

The CGSP union strike against government policies continues through Wednesday 11 March. Seven out of ten IC trains are running, with three out of five L and S trains operating. Peak-hour trains (P) remain largely cancelled. The SNCB urges travellers to check the online journey planner. (BX1)

Road deaths doubled in Brussels in 2025

While road fatalities fell 2.2% nationally to 445 (the lowest on record), Brussels bucked the trend: 20 people died on its roads in 2025, double the 10 in 2024 — the highest since 2022. Victims include six pedestrians, four motorcyclists, four e-scooter riders, and three cyclists. E-scooter deaths tripled nationally from 4 to 13. (BX1)

Paid parking comes to Neder-Over-Heembeek on 15 April

The neighbourhood will introduce paid parking from 15 April, extending the city-wide parking policy. (BX1)

STIB transport for persons with reduced mobility under debate

The question of dedicated transport services for people with reduced mobility operated by STIB is back on the parliamentary agenda. (BX1)

Temporary traffic lights on Ring / A201 junction

Temporary traffic lights have been installed at the junction between the Brussels Ring and the A201. (BX1)

CyCLO bike points face shutdown over missing subsidies

The non-profit CyCLO, which runs six bike repair points across Brussels (Bockstael, Bourse, Gare Centrale, Luxembourg, Midi, Nord) serving 30,000 cyclists and employing 40 people, warns it will soon run out of funds to pay staff. Two months into 2026, regional subsidies remain frozen pending the new government’s budget approval. (BX1 · BRUZZ)

🏛️ Politics & Government

Brussels Parliament ramps up budget process

The Dilliès government approved its draft 2026 budget last Thursday, keeping the deficit under €1 billion as agreed by the seven coalition partners. The finance committee (now chaired by Marc-Jean Ghyssels, PS) begins hearings next Monday with the Court of Auditors analysis. Plenary vote expected 26–27 March. (BRUZZ)

Budget minister De Smedt: “Every euro must be spent better”

New budget minister Dirk De Smedt outlined his spending philosophy in an interview, emphasising efficiency in a constrained fiscal environment. (BX1)

Controversial airport ombudsman suspended for one month

The airport noise ombudsman has been suspended for a month amid ongoing controversy over his impartiality in the Brussels Airport noise dossier. (BRUZZ)

⚖️ Justice & Security

City of Brussels opens hunt on drug money laundering in hospitality

Mayor Philippe Close announced that from June, the city will systematically screen its ~2,000 hospitality businesses for drug money laundering, starting with ~200 suspect establishments. Using a 2024 federal law, the city will collaborate with police and prosecutors to build administrative cases, with powers to suspend or permanently close businesses. The approach follows successes in Liège and Ostend. The crackdown may later extend to nail salons, barbershops, and phone accessory shops. (BRUZZ)

Milquet case ends with out-of-court settlements

Former minister Joëlle Milquet and nine others reached out-of-court settlements with the Brussels prosecutor’s office over allegations of misusing cabinet staff for campaign work in 2014. The settlements end the decade-long case without trial. Among those settling is Bertin Mampaka, now president of the Brussels Parliament for MR. Milquet’s lawyer stressed the settlement does not constitute an admission of guilt. (BRUZZ)

A man received a four-year suspended sentence for distributing images of child sexual abuse. (BRUZZ)

🏠 Housing & Urban

The asbestos crisis in Molenbeek’s social housing has grown from 400 to 500 affected apartments across six buildings, including the Beekkant towers. A €200 million renovation budget is needed — far beyond what the commune can afford. Some residents have been relocated, but most remain in their homes as no alternative housing is available. First alderman Dirk De Block (PTB) is calling on the Region for emergency funding. Beyond asbestos, many buildings also suffer from overcrowding, mould, and poor insulation. (BX1)

Heritage chestnut tree cut down in Watermael-Boitsfort despite protests

A chestnut tree in Watermael-Boitsfort was felled (“cut in candelabra”) despite neighbourhood mobilisation to save it. (BX1)

⛽ Economy & Energy

Middle East conflict sends fuel prices soaring

The ongoing conflict and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz are driving fuel prices sharply higher across Europe. In Belgium, diesel has reached €1.923/L and petrol €1.677/L. Neighbouring countries are seeing even steeper rises: Germany’s petrol has topped €2/L, the Netherlands’ diesel has broken €2.50/L for the first time. Economists warn prices could climb further if the conflict escalates. (BX1)

🧑‍💻 Technology & Innovation

AI chatbots to bridge language barriers in Brussels hospitals and OCMW offices

Two new AI chatbot initiatives aim to tackle Brussels’ multilingual challenge. The H.U.B academic hospital has launched “Aurore”, a voice-enabled virtual assistant on the Erasme emergency ward that answers patients’ practical questions in multiple languages via QR code. Meanwhile, Sint-Agatha-Berchem’s OCMW has deployed “Agatha”, a multilingual chatbot by Paradigm.brussels that adapts to the user’s browser language — with potential rollout to other Brussels municipalities. VUB AI researcher Tim Brys notes both opportunities and concerns about replacing human contact. (BRUZZ)

🎭 Culture & Events

Offscreen film festival kicks off

The Offscreen festival launches with a politically engaged but non-activist programme. (BRUZZ)

Molenbeek circus school strike ends — festival can proceed

A labour dispute at the Molenbeek circus school has been resolved, allowing the upcoming festival to go ahead as planned. (BRUZZ)

BXL Tour 10th edition on 14 June

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

🏥 Health

New integrated memory clinic for Alzheimer diagnosis in Brussels

A new integrated memory clinic is opening in Brussels to improve early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, combining multiple diagnostic approaches under one roof. (BX1)

⚽ Sports

Schaerbeek’s Maximilien Seeger 10th in Paralympic Winter Games super combined

Brussels-born Maximilien Seeger finished 10th in the super combined at the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. (BX1 · BRUZZ)

Taravel to finish season as Anderlecht head coach

Jérémy Taravel will serve as Anderlecht’s head coach for the remainder of the season. (BX1)