Zenne stays underground: “Brussels residents left with empty promises”

The planned uncovering of the Zenne River in Maximilian Park is off the table. Brussels Minister Alain Maron (Ecolo) announced the decision during a session of the Environment Committee in the Brussels Parliament.

The urban renewal project “Max-sur-Zenne” – which already had a building permit and was set to begin this year – has been halted due to a lack of funding. The project will be handed over to the next government, much to the frustration of N-VA, which calls the situation “a disgrace and a clear case of mismanagement.”

Plenty of talk, little action

When the building permit was announced last year, it was said that the €37.5 million project would begin in early 2025. The N-VA also supports greening the city and uncovering the Zenne, but now it turns out the money has run out and the project will not go ahead.

“This is yet more proof that the Brussels Region is in dire financial straits due to years of mismanagement,” said Brussels MP Mathias Vanden Borre. “The current Brussels government made grand announcements—especially in the run-up to the elections—but must now admit that it no longer has the means or capacity to deliver. The people of Brussels were promised a more livable city, but are once again left with nothing but empty promises.”

“Passing the buck to the next government”

According to Vanden Borre, Ecolo and the caretaker government are shirking their responsibilities. “They’re blaming Inflation The increase in the general price level. The original meaning (literally “to blow up”) is monetary inflation, which means that the amount of money increases. Today, inflation primarily refers to price inflation. This means an implicit monetary depreciation. This causes the purchasing power to drop. inflation , the pandemic, and the war in Ukraine for the project’s failure. But that’s nonsense. These excuses no longer hold up. If the budget had been in order, this project would have been perfectly feasible. Because of their own policy failures and poor financial choices, they now have to admit defeat. They should have the courage to say so. Instead of taking responsibility, they’re pushing the problem onto the next government and hiding behind feeble excuses. Frankly, I find that rather cowardly.”

How much longer can Brussels keep its head above water?

Vanden Borre points out that the Brussels government has been grappling with structural deficits for years. “Billions have been spent during this legislature. This year alone, the deficit is €1.5 billion. And yet there’s no money for a €37 million project that had already been announced and supposedly fully funded? That’s dramatic. If they can’t even absorb a few percent of inflation, the Region’s budget must be in truly dire shape. Minister Maron is passing the buck to the next government—but without leaving a single euro behind. That’s deeply regrettable policy.”