The Brussels Times

Paying lower taxes? Belgium considers adjusting personal income tax

"If a finance minister announced that he was going to take €1,500 from people, he would have to resign the next day. But, de facto, that is what is happening now."

Insufficient language knowledge most significant barrier to finding job in Belgium

The lack of knowledge of one of Belgium's national languages is the lowest in Flanders among non-Belgians, forming a massive barrier to employment in the region.

Barely 3% of Brussels elderly people get second booster dose

While 56% of over-85s in Flanders have already had their second booster, this is the case for less than 3% of the same group in Brussels.

Mobile escape room in the dark raises awareness of visually impaired

Coming to eight cities across Belgium and hosted by the Braille League, participants will need to escape in the dark, simulating the daily lives of the visually impaired.

TotalEnergies admits to polluting Scheldt river

Contaminants entered into a cooling water system at the site; "light" pollution is now visible along the river’s surface.

Coffin of assassinated Congolese leader Lumumba returns home to DRC

With the return of Lumumba's remains to the DRC, "the time has come for the Democratic Republic of Congo to write its own history."

‘Human approach needed’: Sensitive criminal files made available online

"It's hard to understand why citizens have to come to the registry to see criminal files, especially when it comes to sensitive cases such as sexual violence or murder."

PromotedOSMIUM – THE RISING STAR AMONG PRECIOUS METALS

Property prices higher in Brussels than anywhere else in Belgium

The average apartment in Belgium is now worth €225,000, which indicates that the median price has gone up by 7% since 2021.

Protestors in ‘white march’ against compulsory vaccination in healthcare

Protestors on Sunday were calling the obligatory vaccine requirement an “asocial political decision against the nursing staff who got us out of this crisis”.

Opioid use in Belgium doubles in 15 years

Roughly 10% of the population are prescribed opiates for moderate to severe pain each year. This is almost double the levels recorded in 2005.

Flanders allocates €45 million to expand special education resources

Flanders will add more spaces for pupils with special education needs and recruit more teachers to accommodate that increase.

Turning back abortion rights: Unthinkable in Belgium?

Following Friday's overturning of the historic Roe v Wade ruling in the US, what is Belgium doing to protect reproductive rights on its soil?

EU Tracker

On the agenda

Today - Energy talks
On 27 June, energy chiefs will try to agree on reforms of the renewables and energy savings directives. Energy prices and gas storage rules will also be on the agenda for what is one of the French EU presidency’s last big summits.
Tomorrow - Bells and whistles
Environment and climate ministers meet 28 June to broker deals on emissions trading, effort sharing, land-use rules, car CO2 targets and a social fund. This really is the last chance for France to make a success of its six months in charge.
June 30 - Consultations open
The EU auditors will publish a report on 30 June on the Commission’s use of external consultants for reports, studies and other advice. Billions are spent on these services and the report will conclude whether that is money well spent.
July 1 - Czech in
Czech Republic takes over the rotating EU presidency from France.
July 4 - Digital votes
MEPs will debate and then vote on the Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act at the July plenary.
July 5 - Right to repair
The European Commission will publish its plan for new design requirements and consumer rights for electronics. This will likely include a definition on the ‘right to repair’, potentially unlocking longer-lasting electronics and reshaping how consumers purchase smartphones and other devices.
July 5 - Taxonomy D-day
Two Parliament committees voted to reject the Commission’s plan to label fossil gas and nuclear power as sustainable investments. A tight result is expected in plenary next month and alliances are now being built. Keep an eye on the draft agenda here.
December 1 - EU-US TTC
The next round of the EU-US trade and technology council is scheduled for December.