After two years marked by Covid and the resulting turmoil worldwide, hopes for an overdue year of calm were unanswered as 2022 brought profound new challenges at home and abroad. Looking back on the highs and lows, The Brussels Times has picked out 10 articles that stand out.
It is strange to think that the year started with the Federal Government still pondering how to manage the latest stage of the pandemic and making some policy blunders as it was obliged to do a U-turn on the matter of cultural centres being closed – many arguing unfairly. With discontent spreading about Belgium's public health measures, the government decided it was time for some transparent indicators to show what steps would be taken when certain thresholds were reached. Yet the tool was complicated, two years late, and was dropped just a few weeks later.
War in Europe
Undoubtedly, 2022 will be remembered as the year that war again broke out in Europe as Russia mounted a major attack on Ukraine. As refugees poured into the EU, The Brussels Times broke an exclusive story of how Leuven-based beer multinational AB InBev had offered to provide Ukrainian beer makers shelter in Belgium, which they then allegedly withdrew after six months – something disputed by the Stella Artois-producing giant, who was not best pleased with the story.
In expressions of genuine solidarity, Europe rallied around Ukraine to provide humanitarian and military aid, as well as placing sanctions on Russian officials and its economy. As the effects of the war took hold, a looming energy crisis tested the limits of European support. Nonetheless, solidarity with the invaded nation remains high: as of December this year, 75% of Belgians were still committed to supporting Ukraine.
As the fighting continued, this year’s Armistice day was particularly pertinent. The Brussels Times looked back at what was happening in German-occupied Brussels in November 1918 at the end of the Great War, when the city descended into chaos as Germany’s civil war spilt onto the Belgian capital’s streets. Lest we forget.
Going against the status quo
Though this year has seen a grim progression of all-out warfare, we were reminded that many battles take place on the financial markets, with some alliances strained by battered economies emerging from the pandemic and nations struggling to keep some sectors afloat. Perhaps most concerning for Europe has been the ramping up of US protectionism under the terms of the Inflation Reduction Act, which threatens to render EU industries uncompetitive if it doesn't relocate to the US – an alarming prospect that EU officials are still not sure how to resolve.
This year also saw the return of the far-right in Europe as they made huge gains, winning the elections in Italy and becoming kingmakers in Sweden’s coalition. This has pulled mainstream political parties to the extremes as they embark on a race to the bottom to win back votes. The EPP’s think tank told The Brussels Times that the centre-right should not pander to far-right sensibilities but must stand firm on traditional conservative ground. The same might be said for the centre-left, after the leader of the Flemish social democrats Vooruit said he “did not feel like he was in Belgium” when in the Brussels municipality of Molenbeek.
In Britain, the same unapologetic disinformation and dishonesty which got PM Boris Johnson into power ended up being, ironically, his demise. In Brussels, Johnson will be remembered as the poster boy for a 'hard Brexit' which continues to cause upset on both sides of the channel. Despite his litany of lies and contorted policies, things got even worse in the UK with the epic failure of his successor Liz Truss who held office for just 44 days. Her tenure was such an unmitigated catastrophe it almost instigated Johnson’s shock return – something most Europeans were glad never materialised. Truss did, however, get to give a speech at Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, who died this year after 70 years of reign.
Getting (your head) around Belgium
As nearby nations held elections and governments teetered, we took a chance to look closely at Belgium's own somewhat convoluted power structures, even creating a dedicated part of the site to explain many of the country's peculiarities. Make sure to keep up with Belgium Unlocked for insight into what makes this such a fascinating (and sometimes perplexing) place.
At a more local level, Brussels has taken major steps to make the capital city a more pleasant environment by introducing its flagship Good Move initiative. Yet not everyone shares the vision of the city authorities, with a gap opening between sustainable politics and local communities. Several more populous areas of the city found that the concrete blocks diverting traffic were detrimental to local enterprises. A renewed communications campaign that seeks to engage residents will hopefully move Brussels in the right direction.
The list (in no particular order):
1) Belgium implements long-awaited coronavirus barometer
by Maïthé Chini – Friday, 21 January 2022
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. Credit: Belga
"After no new measures were taken at the previous Consultative Committee meeting, Belgium is finally introducing the long-awaited coronavirus barometer, announced Prime Minister Alexander De Croo during a press conference on Friday."
2) Brussels State of Mind: An urban development revolution is brewing
by Lauren Walker – Tuesday, 13 September 2022
A Brussels Street now. Credit: The Brussels Times/ Ugo Realfonzo
"When thinking of Brussels, the car-congested boulevards and concrete squares, little flats under an often grey sky may come to mind. But behind the scenes, the government is working on a revolution of its spatial legislation."
3) 'At a loss': AB InBev asks Ukrainian staff to leave accommodation
by Dylan Carter – Sunday, 10 July 2022
Credit: Belga
“We were really asked to decide for ourselves before 31 August our own fates,” said Daryna. “We can look for our own housing in Belgium or we can buy tickets back to Ukraine.”
4) US protectionism poses 'existential challenge' to Europe, say EU leaders
by Thomas Moller-Nielsen – Wednesday, 30 November 2022
Audi Brussels plant, in Vorst-Forest, Brussels. Credit: Eric Lalmand / Belga
European leaders are becoming increasingly alarmed by the harmful impact of recent "protectionist" US legislation on European industry, with the EU Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton even calling it an "existential challenge" to Europe that could potentially lead to the continent's "deindustrialisation".
5) The rise and fall of Boris Johnson
by Orlando Whitehead – Thursday, 7 July 2022
Credit: Canva
"Boris Johnson eked out just one more night before announcing his resignation. But even this matter of hours seemed improbably long for a man who wears misconduct like a robe of honour."
6) Brussels in 1918: Occupation, revolution and the Armistice
by Ugo Realfonzo - Friday, 11 November 2022
Crowd in Grand Place to greet the return of imprisoned Mayor, Adolph Max on 17 November 1918. Credit: Creative Commons
In the days surrounding the Armistice in 1918, Brussels was liberated by German revolutionary soldiers, who up until a few days earlier, had been the occupiers themselves.
7) Up to 75% of Belgians want government to continue supporting Ukraine
by Lukas Taylor - Tuesday, 6 December 2022
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Credit: Philip Reynaers/Belga.
As many as 74% of Belgians want the Federal Government to continue aiding Ukraine in the war against Russia's invading forces, according to the findings of the Grand Barometer survey. However, there appears to be less support for sanctions against Russia, especially in French-speaking Belgium, due to the impact on food and energy prices.
8) The bigger picture: Belgium's highest and lowest paying jobs
by Danica Van de Merwe - Thursday, 29 September 2022
Average Belgian gross salary breakdown, figures from Statbel. Credit: Danica Van der Merwe
After analysing the salaries across Belgium's economic sectors, the national statistics office Statbel has found that the lowest-paid employees in Belgium are waiters and bartenders while the highest-paid employees are directors of large companies.
9) Conservatism in crisis? Traditional right should not outflank far-right despite election results
by Liv Klingert - Friday, 7 October 2022
European People Party leader Manfred Weber. Credit: Manfred Weber's Twitter account
As recent election results in Italy and Sweden have shown, traditional conservative parties in Europe are losing support as voters flock to the far-right. Many are calling it a crisis for conservatives, who now face a choice between co-opting the far-right, mimicking it to survive, or rather trying to stay true to their values.
10) Why Belgium has six governments (and not seven)
by Maïthé Chini - Belgium Unlocked
Credit: Belga
To many, Belgium's fractured politics seems impenetrable. Even those who have lived here all their lives can get lost in the intricacies of regional competencies, advising committees and federal legislators. But a basic understanding of the tangle of governments that make up the Belgian political puzzle gives an insight into what makes this peculiar country tick.
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We hope you enjoyed our selection, did we forget any? Which was your favourite? Let us know!
