Brussel kraakt onder de politieke crisis: ‘Er is geen beleid om de problemen op te lossen’ | De Morgen

Political Impasse in Brussels

Ten months after regional elections, Brussels remains without a new government, creating a severe political crisis. The formation process is completely stalled due to disagreements between parties, particularly regarding the involvement of the N-VA party. This has led to a complete standstill on addressing crucial issues facing the region.

Financial Crisis

The lack of a government has exacerbated an already significant budget deficit, estimated at €1.6 billion. This is pushing the region's debt to unsustainable levels, projected to reach 240% of annual income. A credit rating downgrade from Standard & Poor's is imminent, further jeopardizing the region's financial stability. Daily delays in forming a government increase the deficit by approximately €4 million.

Impact on Public Services

The ongoing political crisis is negatively impacting various aspects of public life:

• Safety: The absence of a functioning government is hindering effective responses to rising drug violence.
• Public Services: The delay is affecting essential services due to budgetary constraints. For example, Actiris, the Brussels equivalent of VDAB, may be forced to close a daycare center.
• Culture: Uncertainty over funding is forcing cultural organizations to scale back programs and potentially lay off staff. Museums are also facing challenges due to delayed funding.

Potential Solutions and Future Outlook

Experts emphasize that the lack of a new government is hindering the implementation of necessary reforms to address systemic issues such as high administrative costs and inefficient organization. Tough decisions, such as halting costly projects like the new metro line, will be needed to resolve the financial crisis. However, the deeply fractured political landscape makes finding a solution challenging.