Protest picnic planned against lack of Brussels government

A group of Brussels residents is organising a picnic on 9 June at Place de la Bourse to highlight the political impasse keeping Brussels from forming a government.

The action follows an earlier protest meeting in March 2025, when about 100 Brussels residents gathered in silence for 89 minutes on the steps of the Stock Exchange, a reference to the 89 elected representatives "who continue to cling to the status quo".

“Our beautiful but ailing capital is being destroyed by administrative incompetence, contempt, baronial politics and party interests,” said citizens collective Respect Brussels, which is organising the June picnic.

“This call to action is part of a broader strategy: a petition as leverage, action on the streets, and today actively involving citizens in the future of our city, because politicians clearly cannot resolve the situation on their own.

"Brussels will not allow itself to be locked into a straitjacket. If our politicians fail, then we, the citizens, must make a difference. Brussels deserves better."

The picnic is scheduled for 12.00 on 9 June at Place de la Bourse and all Brussels residents and supporters are invited.

“Anyone who loves Brussels is welcome to bring a picnic blanket, food, friends, family and ideas,” said the organisers.

The idea is to share a convivial moment to express together "love and concern" for the city, as well as brainstorm ideas for action.

Brussels minister-president Rudi Vervoort (PS) also expressed frustration at the continued lack of government, noting that the 36th Iris Festival - which celebrates the flower that symbolises the capital region - was held without a fully functioning government for the first time since 1989.

Vervoort cited three reasons for the current situation: the confinement of Brussels' diverse identity to the political opposition of two linguistic communities; the interventions of "outside figures seeking to influence the fate of Brussels without subsequently assuming any responsibility" in negotiations; and some people’s desire to link the composition of Brussels’ government with other external governments, including the federal government.

“[Some] want to make people believe that the chaos in Brussels is due to the absence of a government, in order to impose a majority and/or impose severe austerity measures, or even restrict Brussels’ autonomy,” Vervoort warned.

“Whether deliberately or not, people are confusing budget deficits with the ability to finance on the markets, at the risk of creating the very situation they claim to fear. We must not give in to these prophets of doom. Brussels is strong.”

Still, Vervoort conceded that Brussels needs a fully functioning government with a parliamentary majority and "a political programme accompanied by a budget that would reduce the gap between revenue and expenditure".

In the absence of such a government, the caretaker team is currently examining how to further curb spending so the budget remains on the multi-year path set out in the initial 2024 plan.

“But I believe that it is now my government's responsibility to draw up a limited 2025 budget in order to be able to respond to any budgetary problems that may arise between now and the end of the year and to keep the budget within the multi-year framework,” Vervoort said.