Did you also read the words 'Consultative Committee' in the news this weekend and start panicking slightly? Were you also immediately transported back to any of the over 40 press conferences of the past two years full of Covid-19 infection numbers, strange sanitary measures and a promise of another announcement soon?
But this time, it's not what you think.
Yes, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo is convening all of Belgium's governments to take far-reaching measures about a major crisis this week. Yes, it is probably going to affect our daily lives. No, there will not be another lockdown (I hope).
For reporters who have been covering anything related to the Covid-19 pandemic in Belgium (like me), the words 'Consultative Committee' immediately trigger flashbacks of messy press conferences that start at 22:00 on a Friday, last until after midnight and involve more PowerPoint slides than any presentation should ever have.
If it's not that, then it's three different press conferences in as many weeks, all with De Croo announcing Covid-19 measures that he had apparently not yet thought of the week before – despite the constant media coverage of both experts and affected sectors.
However, this time, the Consultative Committee will (fortunately) not be discussing lockdowns, face masks or closing hours for bars. Instead, the ministers will be talking about the skyrocketing energy prices.
De Croo said that the meeting will take place on Wednesday afternoon, if only to see "what the different initiatives of the governments are and how we can together do the maximum to protect people as best as possible."
Hopefully, the press conference afterwards (if there will even be one) is better organised than all the previous ones. What do you think? Let @Maajtee know.
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1. Sharp drop in European gas price as countries hurry to fill reserves
The European natural gas prices saw a sharp drop on Monday morning, after it became known that Germany is filling up its gas reserves faster than the average expectation. Germany wants to be well-prepared for the coming winter. Read more.
2. Consultative Committee will meet about energy crisis on Wednesday
Belgium's Consultative Committee will meet on Wednesday from 15:00 to discuss the energy crisis, confirmed Prime Minister Alexander De Croo on Sunday. But what can the authorities do about the exploding prices? Read more.
3. French-speaking pupils start school year today, Flemish ones on Thursday
While pupils in Flanders will not return to school until Thursday 1 September, French-speaking schools in Belgium have shortened the summer holidays and are already opening their gates today. Read more.
4. Spiralling energy costs force Belgian companies to shut down
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5. Serbia wants to cancel EuroPride next month, organisers persevere
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6. Embassies in Brussels to open doors to general public for first time during Heritage Days
This year's Heritage Days in Brussels during the weekend of 17 and 18 September will centre around the theme of decolonisation and will see many embassies open their doors to the general public for the first time. Read more.
7. Hidden Belgium: A unique hotel on the Meuse
It all started in 2011 when a group of Brussels friends decided to create the perfect seaside hotel. Read more.
