Brussels government seeks EU funding to save Schuman Square overhaul
The Brussels-Capital Region, which is currently under a caretaker administration, has formally appealed to senior EU officials for emergency funding to cover cost overruns in the redevelopment of Schuman Square. Prime minister Bart De Wever (N-VA) criticised the initiative, describing it as a new low.
De Standaard, which obtained the letter, reports that the appeal was addressed to Ursula von der Leyen (President of the European Commission), Roberta Metsola (President of the European Parliament), Kata Tüttő (Member of the Committee of the Regions), Kaja Kallas (EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs) and António Costa (President of the European Council).
Precarious financial position
In a letter signed by Brussels ministers Ans Persoons ( Vooruit), Elke Van den Brandt (Groen) and Rudi Vervoort (PS), the government warned that it cannot finance the additional costs of covering the square as planned. The works, which are managed by Beliris (a joint federal-regional infrastructure fund), are facing a tight deadline: tenders must be finalised by 30 June to avoid further cost escalation. The letter highlights the region's precarious financial position and the absence of a fully empowered government as key risks to the continuation of the project.
In Parliament, Prime minister De Wever strongly criticised the letter, describing it as a “begging letter” and “a new low”. Accusing the Brussels Region of mismanagement and causing embarrassment on the European stage, he reiterated his view that Brussels should be placed under federal oversight, comparing the situation to an IMF-style intervention in a 'failed state'.
© BELPRESS