Walloon Brabant's Provincial Council adopted its 2025 budget on Thursday by a majority vote, with opposition councillors (Ecolo, DéFI, and Les Engagés) abstaining.
The President of the Provincial College, Tanguy Stuckens (Mouvement Réformateur), explained that the budget was a technical, prudent, and tax-neutral one. Since the new majority to be voted in at the 13 October elections will not be installed until 6 December, it was meant to ensure the continuity of public service, he said.
Stuckens explained that the budget adjustments are limited to indexations and minor increases.
Ordinary revenue is projected at €196.1 million, with a final surplus of €7.8 million.
Significant expenditures include a €13.14-million allocation to disaster relief, equivalent to €33 per resident. Extraordinary spending will focus solely on essential safety, energy efficiency, and the continuity of public services, totalling €12.9 million.
An additional €4.55 million has been allocated to support for municipalities through projects in areas such as childcare, flood prevention, and sustainable mobility.
Beyond the surplus of €7.8 million, the 2025 budget includes €11.3 million in ordinary reserves, €5.5 million in extraordinary reserves, and provisions totalling €13.5 million.
Opposition councillor Thierry Meunier (Ecolo) referred to the budget as more of an “outline” than purely technical, suggesting that it primarily ensures policy continuity.