Brussels Daily Press Review — 2026-06-19

TL;DR

Main Brussels stories today:

• Construction: nearly 90% of companies are facing higher material prices.
• AIS Saint-Josse: Ecolo has tabled a proposal for a separate parliamentary inquiry committee.
• The future regional drugs “commissioner” role is taking shape around a clear coordination mandate.
• Belgium’s foreign minister opposes a Taliban invitation to Brussels, but says he cannot block the visit.

🌤️ Weather

Brussels: ☀️ +19°C

Politics

AIS Saint-Josse: Ecolo proposes a separate parliamentary inquiry committee.

Ecolo has tabled a proposal for a distinct parliamentary inquiry committee on the AIS Saint-Josse affair.

Source:

• AIS Saint-Josse: Ecolo dépose une proposition de commission d’enquête parlementaire d… - BX1

Regional drugs commissioner role takes shape around a clear coordination mandate.

The planned regional drugs “commissioner” role is becoming clearer, with the stated need for someone holding a clear mandate to coordinate the different policies involved.

Source:

• “On a besoin d’une personne avec un mandat clair qui peut coordonner toutes ces polit… - BX1

Belgian foreign minister opposes Taliban invitation to Brussels, but says he cannot block the visit.

Belgium’s foreign minister says he opposes inviting the Taliban to Brussels, while acknowledging that he cannot prevent the visit.

Source:

• Belgian Foreign Minister opposes Taliban invitation to Brussels, but says he cannot b… - Brussels Times

Transport

Metro 3 hearings are over, with recommendations now being drafted.

The hearings on Metro 3 have concluded, and attention now turns to drafting the expected recommendations.

Source:

• Métro 3: les auditions sont terminées, place à la rédaction des recommandations atten… - BX1

Environment

Bral and Inter-Environnement Bruxelles subsidies released after political deal.

Subsidies for Bral and Inter-Environnement Bruxelles have been released following a political agreement.

Source:

• Bral et Inter-Environnement Bruxelles: les subsides débloqués après un deal politique - BX1

Society

Eighteenth-century drawings of Brussels are going up for auction.

Drawings of Brussels from the eighteenth century are being auctioned, with their value described as mainly historical.

Source:

• Des dessins du XVIIIe siècle de Bruxelles aux enchères : “La valeur est surtout histo… - BX1

More than 100 demonstrators protest education reforms outside the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.

Over 100 people demonstrated outside the Wallonia-Brussels Federation against education reforms.

Source:

• Reformes de l’enseignement: plus d’une centaine de manifestants protestent devant la FWB - BX1

Temperatures of up to 36°C are forecast in Brussels.

With temperatures expected to reach up to 36°C, Brussels residents are being advised on how to cope with the heat.

Source:

• Jusqu’à 36°C annoncés: comment affronter la chaleur à Bruxelles ? - BX1

Swift chicks are jumping from nests because of heat stress.

The warm summer weather is causing heat stress among swift chicks, which may jump from their nests while seeking cooler conditions.

Source:

• Opvallend: kuikens van gierzwaluwen springen uit nest door hittestress - BRUZZ

Five firearms and 2,340 rounds of ammunition seized during search in Anderlecht.

Police seized five firearms and 2,340 rounds of ammunition during a search in Anderlecht.

Source:

• Cinq armes à feu et 2.340 munitions saisies lors d’une perquisition à Anderlecht - RTBF

AIS Saint-Josse federation condemns the affair and warns against generalisations.

The federation linked to AIS Saint-Josse has condemned the situation and wants to avoid broader conflation.

Source:

• AIS Saint-Josse : la fédération condamne et veut éviter les amalgames - RTBF

Economy & Labour

Construction: nearly 90% of companies face higher material prices.

Nearly 90% of construction companies report being affected by rising material prices.

Source:

• Construction: près de 90% des entreprises confrontées à des hausses de prix des matér… - BX1