Les Engagés Bends.. Brussels Police Zones Merge.. Major Belgian Security Boost

Les Engagés Bends as Brussels Police Zones Merge for Security Boost

Minister Bernard Quintin’s mandatory police fusion law was approved despite initial opposition; Les Engagés secured a clause to revisit and potentially increase federal funding later.

Marie Dupont21 July 2025Last Update : 9 hours ago

Les Engagés plooit: groen licht voor fusie van Brusselse politiezones

www.bruzz.be

The Belgian government has reached a significant milestone in police reform with the approval of the mandatory police fusion law. On 2025-07-21 11:18:00, Interior Minister Bernard Quintin announced the green light for his draft bill, despite earlier hesitations from coalition partner Les Engagés. The decision came after intense overnight talks that resolved previous disagreements over funding and implementation.

6 Key Takeaways

Minister Quintin announces approved draft law
Les Engagés demands sufficient federal funding
Coalition confirms mandatory police merger
Les Engagés accepts reform after debate
Government commits to 55 million euros support
Funding to increase in second reading

Les Engagés had initially opposed the fusion without sufficient federal financial support, highlighting a structural underfunding of Brussels police estimated between 300 and 500 million euros. The 55 million euros proposed by Quintin was deemed insufficient. However, vice-premier Maxime Prévot confirmed early on Monday that the party now backs the reform, with a commitment to revisit and potentially increase the budget during the bill’s second reading.

What does this mean for the future of policing in Belgium, and how will this funding debate shape the reform’s success? The answers lie in the government’s willingness to adapt and invest further in public safety.

Fast Answer: Belgium’s government has agreed on a mandatory police fusion law with initial federal funding of 55 million euros, promising to reassess financing to better support Brussels police and ensure effective reform.

Why did Les Engagés shift their stance, and what does this reveal about Belgium’s political dynamics? Their conditional support reflects a pragmatic approach to governance, balancing reform urgency with financial realities. Key points include:

The fusion law was confirmed after resolving coalition disagreements overnight.
Les Engagés secured a clause for budget review and potential increases at the second legislative reading.
Brussels police funding remains a critical issue, with ongoing debates about adequate investment.

This development is crucial for Brussels, where police underfunding has long impacted security and public trust, making the fusion and funding debate highly relevant locally.

As Belgium moves forward, will the government follow through on its funding promises? Citizens and stakeholders alike should stay engaged as the legislative process continues, ensuring that police reform delivers the safety and efficiency Belgium needs.