Hello, goeiemiddag and bonjour!
It's me, Maïthé Chini, at the helm of our Belgium in Brief newsletter today – taking over from our Managing Editor, Katie Westwood.
It's a special day for Belgium, as today marks a full year since the current Federal Government, led by Prime Minister Bart De Wever (N-VA), was sworn in.
And what a year it has been for De Wever: from difficult savings and reforms (and the near-monthly strikes that followed) in his own country to his success in the Euroclear case about the frozen Russian assets held in Brussels.
However, it has not all been smooth sailing. Currently, the PM's Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden (CD&V) is caught up in a multi-million euro political scandal: the i-Police – a failed project that cost Belgium's taxpayers almost €76 million and has been making headlines across Belgium for weeks.
In typically Belgian fashion, it is a very complicated affair, and I am willing to bet we have not heard the last of it. If you want to know the ins and outs of the complex case, I recommend reading this excellent article by our reporter Rita Alves, which unpicks the knots and tangles of the scandal.
Meanwhile, Isabella Vivian looked into Spain's approval of a decree to regularise 500,000 undocumented migrants and asylum seekers, and wondered if there was any way that Belgium would follow suit, especially with the current political climate. Find out here.
In Brussels-related news, tens of thousands of residents living in the north and west of Brussels are furious over a new air route flying over the Capital Region – leaving them with just 3.5 hours of sleep uninterrupted by aircraft noise on some nights.
Ending on a brighter note (at least for those often travelling on a low budget): a Brussels court has ruled that several of Ryanair's booking practices are unlawful, and has ordered the airline to change them or face a fine of €5,000 per day.
In theory, this means no more charges for a 10kg carry-on bag, misleading marketing deals or vague messages about priority boarding and additional luggage. In practice, Ryanair was given three months to implement the required changes. So...who knows? To be continued, surely.
Any comments, tips or suggestions to improve our coverage are appreciated, so feel free to email me at m.chini@brusselstimes.com.
Tschüss, see you later!
Belgium in Brief is a free daily roundup of the top stories to get you through your coffee break conversations. To receive it straight to your inbox every day, sign up below:
1. i-Police: The failed project that cost Belgium’s taxpayers almost €76 million
Despite the end of the i-Police contract, Belgium remains tied to French consultancy Sopra Steria through at least six other contracts. Read more.
2. Spain welcomes 500,000 undocumented migrants – will Belgium follow suit?
Half a million undocumented migrants will obtain legal status in Spain in the coming months. Could Belgium be on the brink of opening its borders too? Read more.
3. Ryanair’s booking practices are unlawful, Brussels court rules
Change them or face a fine of €5,000 per day, a Brussels court has ordered Ryanair. Read more.
4. ‘Just 3.5 hours of uninterrupted sleep’: Noisy new air route over Brussels sparks fury among residents
"Brussels is increasingly being treated as a mere flight corridor, where nuisances are concentrated in the name of competitiveness," said residents. Read more.
5. 112 artists, one city: Photo Brussels returns with a tale of betrayal
Brussels has been turned into a living gallery as Belgium's leading photography festival takes over the city. Read more.
6. Belgium’s 176 police zones are ‘not good for security’, says interior minister
Bernard Quentin (MR) says he plans to reduce the number of local police zones to around 60. Read more.
7. ‘Irresponsible’: Lack of Brussels Government forces healthcare centre to shut
Despite extensive efforts and repeated discussions with government agencies and officials, Athena's funding needs were not met. Read more.
