9 June 2025 will mark a strange anniversary: one year without a government for the Brussels-Capital Region. A year of waiting, of silence, and a bitter taste. It’s time to open the windows.
In our last issue, we warned that if the government gave us something to say, Beci wouldn't hold back. Well, that's what happened... well, in its own way. Because the truth is, they're not giving us anything. Radio silence. Not a single policy outline, not even a reassuring word. It is precisely this deafening void that deserves to be highlighted. This silence alone speaks volumes. 'Now what?' the people of Brussels ask, 'Do we just keep waiting?' If we're going to go round in circles, we might as well draw a straight line. So, in the absence of dialogue, here's our roadmap.
Brussels on pause or gasping for air?
For almost 365 days now, Brussels has been in a strange hiatus. Without a regional government, issues are piling up and emergencies are multiplying, while the capital of Europe seems to have been forgotten by almost everyone. This reality will come as no surprise to anyone who observes the local political scene. However, this time it's Beci who is saying it outright: patience has its limits. The Region is facing a budgetary situation that leaves no room for procrastination. Reducing debt and putting public finances on a sounder footing is a non-negotiable priority. However, beyond the figures, it is the absence of a clear policy that is lacking.
We've been repeating it for the past nine months now: Brussels deserves better than a status quo or an awkward silence. The capital, with its many roles as the seat of the EU and the beating heart of Belgium, needs to catch its breath. 'Dare Brussels', urges Beci, who places ambition and pride at the heart of its expectations for the future government. Is it really so difficult to agree on the essentials? Translation: let's put an end to the political gridlock for good.
A thousand and one reasons
Beci's roadmap for the future government is intended as a pragmatic guide. It sets out the priorities and calls for action to get the Region out of the gridlock. First commandment: put an end to Brussels Bashing and promote the capital with pride. Brussels has much to offer — from its diversity to its international reach.
On the budgetary front, the equation is a tight one: restoring a balanced budget by 2031 will require a clear reflection on the role of the Region, without sacrificing the quality of public services. In this context, safety and cleanliness are at the top of the list of concerns, areas where Brussels must assume its responsibilities and effectively coordinate the players involved.
Secondly, housing, which is often at the heart of debates, calls for administrative acceleration to encourage renovation and construction. Mobility, a pillar of urban life, needs a strategy focused on smooth traffic flow and multimodality, to meet the needs of all.
The same applies to the local economy, with a focus on simplifying administrative procedures for businesses, a low-carbon strategy and strengthened governance. The link between employment and education needs to be more direct and more efficient: we need to promote sectors that are recruiting and make it easier for young people to enter the job market. Healthcare and nurseries also require special attention, with an emergency plan to stabilise provision and guarantee access to quality care. Finally, digitalisation and artificial intelligence must become real levers for modernisation, to make administration faster, clearer and more humane.
Once upon a time, there was governance
Governance, too, is in urgent need of a refresh. That means simplification, stronger dialogue with civil society and social partners, and a clearer distribution of responsibilities between the Region and the municipalities. In short: fewer barriers, more dialogue. Let's breathe new life into our democracy — not through grand speeches, but by rebuilding trust and getting Brussels moving again.
Against this somewhat surreal backdrop, where a year without a government seems like an eternity, Beci reminds us that the Region cannot afford this forced pause any longer. Brussels residents, entrepreneurs and visitors are all waiting for answers. And yet... the city has not stopped moving. Entrepreneurs continue to invest, citizens keep asking questions, and challenges continue to pile up. That’s the irony: activity is thriving, but political momentum is missing. A drawn-out limbo, with an administration holding the fort behind the scenes — just barely.
It's time to wake up
Yes, a year without a government is long. But what weighs most isn’t the time itself — it’s the lack of momentum. It’s the sense that this could drag on for months more, wrapped in a kind of passive acceptance.
Brussels is a complex region, that's a fact, but it's also what makes it unique. So, as we close this edition ahead of the summer break, one thing is certain: the autumn restart cannot be a repeat of the same script. It’s not too late — but it is more than time.
Since September, Beci has been calling on the government to “Dare Brussels”, because behind that slogan lies the voice of the entire business community that we represent to policymakers. A few weeks ago, together with Brussels-based business and labour representatives, we launched “Ras-Le-Gouv”: a collective cry from the heart, a call to action.
To mark the occasion, and because it's an anniversary, here’s your 1-minute-23-second reminder.