It has been 523 days, almost a world record, since the Brussels region held elections last year on June 9, but there is still no government formed, even as the end of the year approaches and talks over next year’s budget should be held. Moreover, the so-called project of the Brussels-Capital Region might be coming to an end. There are talks for the federal government to take over the city.  

‘Fear is spreading among associations,’ – says Luise Lamoureux, a social worker intern in ‘Maison des Parents Solos’ (eng. ‘House for Single Parents’).

‘Maison des Parents Solos’ is a support centre for single parents and their children. They are largely funded by the Brussels region. According to Lamoureux, because of financial uncertainties, they had to lay off a lawyer and ‘positions of receptionist and psychologist do not have long-term funding security’. Moreover, she is doubting about the arrival of funds from long-term projects, and they are forced to find solutions on their own to do their work.

‘The association had to find a solution to house a mother who had been evicted,’ – says Lamoureux.

Staying hopeful

Maison des cultures et de la cohésion sociale de Molenbeek Saint-Jean (eng. House of Cultures and Social Cohesion of Molenbeek Saint-Jean) is an organisation that tries through art to connect all ages of Molenbeek residents. They said, they will also be feeling repercussions from January if the budget is not passed.

‘Especially for the House of Cultures, there were like five people, I think, affected by the lack of funding, because we also have like that combination of  contracts that you have half of the of the funding for your salaries on this one. And then we combine, so that there was, I think there’s only leaving one person now,’ – says Elke Van den Bergh, Deputy Coordinator of the House of Cultures and Social Cohesion.

However, Elke is hopeful for the future of their organisation. She says, at this time, they could regroup and, in their spare time, between the funding, to see how they can ‘reinvent collaboration’.

More than a budget problem

The lack of government threatens not only organisations but also building projects, one of which is The Schuman Square, located near the European Commission. Because of additional costs due to inflation roundabout image could look different.

The financial problems – reduced credit score and deficit – might have to put Brussels city into an austerity program, it does not help that city’s income comes elsewhere.

‘The main source of Brussels’ income lies outside the city itself, which means that the Region cannot take care of its own finances,’ – says Anton Jager, Brussels resident and lecturer at Oxford University, in his ‘Bruzz’ opinion essay. He adds, for this reason and many more, federal takeover now is ‘anything but absurd’.

Belgium holds the longest record for the longest government formation – 541 days. There are 18 days left for Brussels city to take over the record or be taken over by the federal government.