Weekend Brief
Brussels Weekend Brief
Saturday, 26 September 2026
The week's biggest Brussels stories, ranked by how many independent source items covered the same topic.
Car-Free Sunday Draws Crowds and Incidents
Car-Free Sunday brought strong public enthusiasm, wider participation across Belgium, and calls from residents for more car-free days. Emergency services still reported 187 medical interventions, including a seriously injured child hit by a vehicle.
Sources
Burial Space and New Funeral Options
Brussels' multi-faith cemetery is nearing saturation and looking for more space, while new attention is going to alternative funeral practices such as human composting.
Drought Alert and Water Supply Concerns
The Brussels Region remains under yellow drought alert. Low Meuse levels are also being reported as affecting water for Brussels residents.
Brussels Casino Concession Still Stuck
Brussels City remains without a solution for the Grand Casino concession after the tender was suspended. The college is under pressure while the opposition watches closely.
Parliament Returns With Budget Pressure
The Brussels Parliament returned with budget and security high on the agenda, while Bertin Mampaka was re-elected president. Debate also continued over whether alternatives to austerity are possible.
City-Centre Public Order Measures
Brussels extended its city-centre public-drinking ban by four years. Separately, the Gray neighbourhood near Flagey was identified as a new hotspot for drug-related violence.
Night Closures on the Brussels Ring
Several lanes of the Brussels Ring will close at night from 28 September to 3 October. The works are expected to affect mobility around the capital.
French-Speaking Education Reform Challenged
Part of the French-speaking education reform decree is being challenged before the Constitutional Court. The case could affect how the reform moves forward.
Saint-Josse Gets Finance Warning
The Region sent Saint-Josse a second warning over the state of the commune's finances. The issue adds another direct governance pressure point for Brussels local authorities.
Prison Strike Over Overcrowding
A 24-hour strike began in Belgian prisons over persistent overcrowding. Union voices linked overcrowding to rising aggression inside prisons.