Brussels Threatens Direct Oversight of Crisis-Hit Municipality

The regional government of Brussels plans to place the municipality of Saint-Josse-ten-Noode under enhanced supervision because of the critical state of its public finances and what officials described as systemic administrative failures.

The decision followed the municipality's request to postpone repayment of a €7 million ($7.9 million) loan provided by the regional government. Saint-Josse-ten-Noode is both the most densely populated and the poorest municipality in Belgium.

Ahmed Laaouej, the Brussels minister responsible for local government, said the municipality was at risk of no longer being able to guarantee basic public services. He cited “systemic dysfunction”, irregularities in accounting and budgeting procedures and serious shortcomings in personnel management.

According to the regional authorities, the municipality has accumulated a deficit exceeding €30 million ($34 million), despite receiving more than €21 million ($24 million) in short-term loans since 2025 that were intended to prevent insolvency.

If local authorities fail to implement corrective measures within the required timeframe, the Brussels regional government could appoint a special commissioner to assume certain powers of the municipality.

Mayor Emir Kir described the move as “an act of unprecedented brutality” and announced plans to challenge the decision. He argued that the regional authorities ignored the municipality’s explanations and disputed the accuracy of the financial data presented.

Saint-Josse-ten-Noode borders Brussels’ European Quarter, home to key European Union institutions and regular summits of EU leaders.

(politico, bak)