A crucial report by Yvan Verougstraete, facilitator and leader of Les Engagés, outlines key steps to overcome Brussels’ political impasse by balancing the budget and simplifying the region’s institutions.
The report identifies two fundamental conditions for revitalising Brussels: stricter fiscal management and a comprehensive reform of public structures.
The goal is to achieve a balanced budget by 2032, requiring a clear distinction between regular revenues and expenditures, and exceptional investment expenses, which can be managed over differing depreciation periods.
Institutional reform is equally important, with proposals for extending the Optiris programme to streamline public services, prioritise projects, simplify administrative processes, and revise the distribution of responsibilities between municipalities and the regional government.
The plan also includes simplifying local government financing and ensuring efficient resource allocation.
To prevent future gridlocks, negotiators will establish a roadmap aimed at modernising Brussels’ institutional framework and electoral system.
The plan will continue to protect the linguistic rights of both French- and Dutch-speaking communities.
The report then lists ten policy priorities for the region. Among them, a new government will develop a “Clean Brussels” strategy to reform Net Brussels, enhance street cleaning, improve waste collection, and increase accountability among residents and businesses.
Urban and environmental strategies will also prioritise public health, clean water, biodiversity, and resilience to climate change.
Strengthening Brussels’ ability to manage and coordinate safety is another key focus.
Measures will include improving the financing and effectiveness of safety and prevention policies, bolstering community policing, addressing public transport and drug-related safety concerns, and potentially merging the region’s six police zones.
On mobility, the report supports reinforcing “Vision Zero” and the “City 30” initiative, focusing on reducing road fatalities and maintaining low-speed zones. The southern extension of Metro Line 3 will be considered, although financial details remain unclear.
Housing policy will also undergo refinement, with the analysis and development of the “Emergency Housing Plan.”
The Brussels Regional Housing Company (BGMH) will prepare a multi-year investment plan to ensure project sustainability and explore short-term financing options, such as selling certain social housing projects or pursuing partnerships with the private sector.
Attention will also be given to expediting urban planning permits and finalising the Regional Urban Planning Regulation (GSV).
The report proposes other measures to create more jobs for Brussels residents, attract economic investment, address climate and energy challenges, and enhance healthcare policies in the region.
Finally, improving multilingualism in Brussels is recognised as a tool for better access to employment and public services.
A masterplan will aim to strengthen bilingualism in Brussels’ administrations, with additional investment allocated to improve bilingual healthcare services.
Verougstraete’s blueprint has been received as pragmatic, presenting proposals that are unlikely to face significant opposition among regional stakeholders.
Whether it succeeds in breaking the deadlock, however, remains to be seen.
