A nationwide general strike and demonstration took place in Brussels on December 15, 2025, organized by the United Trade Union Front. Thousands protested government budget agreements and planned austerity measures, leading to significant disruptions in public services and transport across the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.
Ryanair announced significant reductions to its Belgian operations, including removing 5 aircraft from Brussels Charleroi and cutting 20 routes, leading to a loss of 1 million seats. This decision, effective from the 2026/2027 winter schedule, is a direct response to Belgium's federal air passenger tax increasing to €10 in 2027 and a proposed €3 local tax in Charleroi.
The European Union is expected to agree on expanding sanctions against Belarus' regime to encompass hybrid activities, as confirmed by Lithuania's Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys in Brussels today. This move comes in response to escalating 'hybrid attacks' including airspace incursions by smuggling balloons and the detention of Lithuanian trucks.
Eurozone finance ministers are gathering today, December 11, to elect a new Eurogroup President. Belgium's Vincent Van Peteghem and Greece's Kyriakos Pierrakakis are the leading candidates, vying to succeed Paschal Donohoe, who unexpectedly resigned. The election coincides with crucial debates on frozen Russian assets and the nomination process for the next ECB vice-president.
KBC Group, via its Start it @KBC program, is investing €100 million into a new 'Start it Fund' to provide early-stage and growth funding for top Belgian start-ups. This initiative aims to strengthen the national ecosystem, offering capital and guidance from idea to potential IPO, addressing a critical funding gap for entrepreneurs.
Belgium's women's junior hockey team made history with a dominant 21-0 win over Zimbabwe at the FIH Hockey Women's Junior World Cup 2025 in Santiago, Chile. This record-breaking score, featuring multiple hat-tricks, secured Belgium's top spot in their pool and advanced them to the next phase of the tournament.
Former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini was detained and formally accused in Belgium as part of an anti-fraud probe. The investigation, led by the European Public Prosecutor's Office, concerns alleged procurement fraud, corruption, and conflict of interest related to an EU-funded diplomatic training program awarded to the College of Europe.
Belgium has permanently shut down its Doel-2 nuclear reactor near Antwerp after 50 years of operation, marking it as the fifth reactor to be taken offline under the country's evolving nuclear phase-out policy. The 445 MW unit ceased operations on November 30, 2025.
Belgium's national men's hockey team made history on November 30, 2025, securing their first-ever Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. They defeated five-time champions India 1-0 in a tightly contested final held in Ipoh, Malaysia, with Thibeau Stockbroekx scoring the decisive goal.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo has cautioned the European Union against its plan to utilize frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's funding, citing significant financial and legal liabilities for Belgium. With the majority of these assets held at Euroclear in Brussels, Belgium fears potential Russian retaliation and systemic risks to the euro, demanding robust guarantees from other EU member states.
Belgium's Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot has strongly condemned Israeli soldiers following the fatal shooting of two Palestinians in Jenin, West Bank. Footage showed the men appearing to surrender before being killed. Prévot called for accountability and an end to the violence, emphasizing that the actions defy international law.
Belgium is experiencing a surge in H5 avian influenza cases, with recent outbreaks confirmed in poultry farms across Limburg and Namur provinces. The Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) has implemented strict control measures, including mandatory culling, protection zones, and indoor housing for poultry, as the country works to contain the highly contagious virus.
Belgium's five-party federal coalition, led by Prime Minister Bart De Wever, has reached a long-awaited multi-year budget agreement for 2026 and beyond. The deal, finalized after over 20 hours of negotiations, targets a €9.2 billion reduction in the federal deficit by 2029 through a combination of spending cuts and targeted tax increases, aiming to bring public finances in line with EU rules.
An extensive investigation into a sophisticated drug trafficking network operating through Belgium's Port of Antwerp has resulted in the detention of 11 individuals. The probe uncovered various methods used to conceal large quantities of cocaine and suspected heroin within legitimate cargo, including bananas, used cars, and kitchen equipment.
Belgium is set to introduce new measures in 2026 to combat social fraud in home nursing, including a daily limit on billable visits. This follows a multimillion-euro fraud case in West Flanders where a nurse allegedly billed for fictitious services, prompting Federal Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke to announce the crackdown.
Eight individuals were arrested in Belgium on Tuesday in connection with a suspected plot to assassinate Brussels chief prosecutor Julien Moinil, linked to organized drug trafficking. All suspects were released on Wednesday due to insufficient evidence, though the investigation continues.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot has condemned recent large-scale Russian attacks on Ukraine as 'war crimes,' citing deliberate targeting of civilians and infrastructure. He also voiced strong concern over a missile strike near the Azerbaijani Embassy in Kyiv, which caused significant damage.
Belgium has decided to suspend its planned €300 million investment in the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program, citing a lack of confidence in the sixth-generation fighter jet project's direction. The move follows internal disputes within the FCAS consortium and criticism regarding Belgium's F-35 purchases.
Bram Govaerts, Director General of CIMMYT, was honored with the Commander of the Order of the Crown by the King of Belgium, represented by Vice Prime Minister Maxime Prévot. The prestigious award recognizes Govaerts' exceptional service to agriculture and humanity, particularly his contributions to global food security and sustainable agricultural practices.
Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prévot visited the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in Texcoco, Mexico, on November 11, 2025. The visit aimed to deepen collaboration on global food security, agricultural innovation, and climate-resilient agrifood systems, reaffirming Belgium's nearly four-decade partnership with the research organization.
