Belgium's Prime Minister Bart De Wever (N-VA) visited the leaders of European institutions, such as the Commission and the Council, to ask them to disregard the letter sent to them by the outgoing Brussels Government regarding the redevelopment of Schuman Square.
The outgoing Brussels Government, led by Rudi Vervoort (PS) sent a letter to the leaders of the EU institutions earlier this week to ask for support for the long-awaited redevelopment of the Schuman Square – in the middle of the EU district.
"It is truly a disgrace, a total humiliation: the Brussels Region begging for money to build a square. I had to apologise," said De Wever. He stressed the diplomatic importance of Brussels.
The letter, first reported on by De Standaard, was sent to representatives of the five European institutions based in Brussels (the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Council of the EU, the European External Action Service and the Committee of the Regions), asking whether they would consider making a joint financial contribution.
'Failed state'
The law does not allow the Federal Government to intervene in the affairs of a Region. However, if a regional government were to request financial support from the federal level, De Wever made it clear that he would take the same stance as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) towards "failed states" and impose "very clear conditions."
The amount that Brussels hopes to obtain is not mentioned in the letter –which was written by Vervoort, Brussels State Secretary for Urban Development and European Relations Ans Persoons (Vooruit) and Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt (Groen) – but the construction will cost around €12.4 million more than originally foreseen.
Originally, the reconstruction was estimated to cost €30.2 million, but construction agency Beliris confirmed to Bruzz said that €9 million extra will be needed for the reconstruction of the square itself, and another €3.4 million for the planned canopy.
"Beliris has completely used up the budget for this initiative," the spokesperson said. According to the agreement, the additional costs "will be borne by the Region, more specifically by Brussels Mobility," she added.
Illustration of the renewed Schuman roundabout. Credit: Ans Persoons Cabinet/ COBE + BRUT
However, the letter stated that the Region is unable to release the additional funds required to complete the renovation; it cannot finance the additional costs for the construction of the canopy. However, the tender must be completed by 30 June. If this does not happen, there is a risk of even more additional costs.
"The dire budgetary situation, combined with the fact that there is no government with full powers, means that the project is under threat if guarantees cannot be given quickly," the letter said.
According to Beliris, the higher price for the reconstruction is due to the increased cost of building materials as a result of inflation, but also to additional requirements imposed by Brussels Mobility.
The Region has added elements to the project, such as the renewal of the waterproofing of the underground infrastructure, the reconstruction of the Avenue de la Joyeuse Entrée, the increase in safety requirements for the bollards, a large bench. "Then there also the late decision on the canopy, the impact of which is currently estimated at €2.25 million."
A source within the Brussels Government confirmed to Bruzz that additional measures had been requested, but pointed out that the bollards in particular are a major factor in the additional cost. "These bollards are designed to prevent terrorist attacks and have been requested by the European institutions. But they are very expensive."
