Good afternoon.
There have been many contentious issues on the agenda today at the EU Summit taking place in Brussels - but none more so than that of the €140 billion of frozen Russian assets languishing in Euroclear. The issue has been dragging on for months, but the Belgian PM keeps blocking any moves by the rest of the EU to free them up and allow Ukraine to access them as part of the war effort.
The nub of the issue for Belgium is that Euroclear is actually hosted in this country, and the Belgian PM has specific concerns about the implications of that; read more here and keep across our site to see the latest updates as EU leaders are still trying to thrash out a compromise.
Speaking of De Wever and compromises: still nothing on the horizon regarding the Belgian Federal Government's budget plans. The PM had to delay his annual 'State of the Union' speech to Parliament last week because there was no agreement, with the hope he would be able to deliver it this week. But that deadline has come and gone - like many in Belgium - and the parties seem no closer to an agreement.
Not to be alarmist - but there are even faint rumblings of the nightmare scenario that if no compromise can be reached, De Wever may decide to trot off to the Palace to see the King....Leaving Brussels with no Regional Government and Belgium with no Federal Government. We are not there yet, I hasten to add, but we will be speaking to some experts in the coming days to get their assessment of how likely - if at all - that is.
De Wever never ceases to remind people that he much prefers being the Mayor of Antwerp than Prime Minister of a country he doesn't quite believe in in its current state. Just saying.
A bit of self-promotion now. The Brussels Times has a couple of events we are jointly hosting next week that you can sign up for.
First, the serious one. If you are interested in the Brussels Government stalemate, then come along to our debate next week at The Merode about the implications for investment of the current situation, hosted by me and including Thierry Geerts from BECI, the Brussels Chamber of Commerce, who has some fascinating insights into the whole debacle. Sign up here. It's free but places are limited!
On a lighter note (depending on how competitive you are!), we are also hosting another Pub Quiz with The Full Circle Club on Wednesday. Expect fun, drinks and some Halloween-themed questions as well. And you also get to meet some of The Brussels Times' very own ghouls as well on the night. Sign up here.
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. Parks close and warnings issued as Storm Benjamin hits Brussels
Everything you need to know about closures and possible travel disruptions caused by Storm Benjamin. Read more.
2. MEP alleges that Hungary paid over €1 million to spy on his Brussels office
"Apparently, they think I'm dangerous enough to put this kind of money on the table," the targeted German MEP Daniel Freund told The Brussels Times. Read more.
3. Thorny issues on the agenda as EU leaders meet today in Brussels
Today's European summit is expected to be a tricky one. Read more.
4. The woman changing the face of an exclusive Brussels club
Lynn Tytgat, CEO of The Merode, says "we want to be a club that really welcomes difference". Read more.
5. Three-day national strike to cost €100 million a day, warns Walloon business chief
A move that could cost the Walloon economy €100 million per day, according to a report by Sudinfo. Read more.
6. Brussels Airport warns of busy days ahead, urges passengers to arrive early
Brussels Airport has warned travellers to expect large crowds over the coming days and is advising passengers to arrive well in advance of their flights. Read more.
7. Kitesurfer in Koksijde risks life braving storm Benjamin’s 120km/h winds
Footage published by HLN shows a kitesurfer in Koksijde venturing into the sea amid Storm Benjamin. Read more.
