EconomyBelgium
GSK to Cut 1,217 Jobs in Belgium as Workers Block Sites
GSK plans to cut 1,217 jobs in Belgium, threatening its Wavre and Rixensart sites as workers block both plants in protest.
—6 min read
Tag
#Wallonia
83 articles
EnvironmentEurope
Wolf Attacks Surge in Belgium's Verviers Region
A fearless she-wolf is suspected of driving multiplying wolf attacks in Belgium's Verviers region as Wallonia prepares a new wolf management plan.
—5 min read
BusinessBelgium
GSK to Cut Up to 1,217 Jobs at Belgian Vaccine Sites
GSK plans to cut up to 1,217 jobs in Wallonia, Belgium's largest collective redundancy this year, sparking union anger and political reaction.
—5 min read
PoliticsEconomy
Walloon 2027 Budget: Car Tax, Inheritance, Infrastructure
Wallonia's government unveiled a three-year 2027-2029 budget with car taxation reform, inheritance relief, infrastructure spending and a new road vignette.
—6 min read
PoliticsEconomy
Wallonia Unveils 3-Year Budget With Job Bonus, Tax Cuts
Wallonia's MR-Les Engages government presented a three-year budget with a job bonus, lower inheritance taxes, and untouched child benefits.
—7 min read
JusticeEurope
Fagnes fire: machine had prior incident, probe hears
Belgian prosecutors confirm the machine suspected of igniting the Hautes Fagnes blaze had already caused an incident the day before the August fire.
—5 min read
PoliticsEducation
Student Protests Spread as 13-Year-Old Arrested in Liège
Student protests sweep Wallonia and France into a fourth day as a 13-year-old is arrested in Liège over a social media arson call.
—6 min read
TransportEconomy
Wallonia Scraps €12 TEC Pass in Fare Overhaul
Wallonia raised LETEC bus fares and scrapped the popular €12 annual pass, effective February 2027, sparking a political fight over youth and budgets.
—6 min read
ConsumerEurope
Belgium: What Changes on October 1, 2026
From Wallonia's new renovation loans to energy contract rules and dentist ID checks, here's what changes for Belgian consumers on October 1, 2026.
—7 min read
EnvironmentEurope
Walloon Provinces Impose Drought Orders to Curb Fire Risk
Four Walloon provinces issued drought orders restricting fires and smoking in forests until 1 October, as dry, windy weather raises wildfire risk.
—4 min read
EnvironmentEurope
Belgium Sets Car-Free Sunday Record as Wallonia Joins In
A record 70+ Belgian municipalities held a car-free Sunday on 20 September 2026, with 22 Walloon communes taking part for the first time.
—5 min read
RegionalPolitics
Belgium Opens Probe Into Semois Park Conflict of Interest
Belgian prosecutors have opened a probe into conflict of interest suspicions over an equestrian project at the Semois Valley National Park.
—6 min read
BusinessTechnology
Aerospacelab Wins €2.4B Deal to Build 264 IRIS² Satellites
Belgium's Aerospacelab signed a €2.4 billion contract to build 264 satellites for the EU's IRIS² network, a sovereign alternative to Starlink.
—5 min read
PoliticsEurope
D'Orazio to Lead Walloon Cities Union With Fiscal Warning
Liberal mayor Samuel D'Orazio takes the helm of the UVCW, warning Walloon municipalities must either raise taxes or rationalise spending.
—5 min read
Transport
Letec Strike: No Buses in Charleroi, Disruptions in Wallonia
A 48-hour strike on the Letec bus network halts transport in Charleroi and disrupts services across Wallonia as unions protest eco-cheque cuts.
—4 min read
Culture & Entertainment
Pommelien Thijs Makes History with First Wallonia Show
Belgian pop star Pommelien Thijs performed her first Wallonia show at Ronquières Festival, the first Dutch-language act ever there.
—4 min read
HistoryEurope
Bois du Cazier: 70 Years of Wallonia's Mining Legacy
Belgium marks 70 years since the Bois du Cazier mining disaster, tracing Wallonia's UNESCO-listed mining heritage and the tragedy's lasting impact.
—6 min read
EnvironmentClimate
Wallonia Drought Deepens: Water Levels Below 2020 Records
Wallonia's drought crisis intensifies as river levels fall below unprecedented 2020 thresholds. Water restrictions remain despite expected rainfall.
—5 min read
Society
What Flemish See in Wallonia: A Nuanced Portrait
La Libre Belgique's summer series reveals a nuanced picture of how Flemish personalities perceive Wallonia, challenging political stereotypes.
—4 min read
AgricultureCulture
Libramont Fair Marks 100 Years of Agricultural Heritage
Belgium's Libramont Fair, Europe's largest open-air agricultural event, celebrates its 100th anniversary with special exhibits and a historic royal visit.
—4 min read
CultureMusic
Sting's Historic Wallonia Debut at Francofolies de Spa
Sting performed at Francofolies de Spa for the first time in Wallonia, delighting fans with an intimate trio concert and sampling local Belgian beer.
—3 min read
Local EventsAgriculture
Libramont Fair Turns 100: A Century of Agricultural Heritage
Belgium's iconic Libramont Agricultural Fair celebrates its 100th anniversary, from humble horse fair to Europe's largest open-air agricultural event.
—4 min read
Environment
Drought Worsens in Wallonia as Water Restrictions Expand
Wallonia maintains water restrictions as drought worsens, with 7 municipalities affected and the Nisramont dam under reinforced vigilance.
—4 min read
PoliticsAgriculture
Walloon Minister Dalcq Sets Agenda to Save Farms and Forests
Walloon Agriculture Minister Anne-Catherine Dalcq on generational renewal, climate adaptation, and trade policy at the 90th Libramont Fair.
—4 min read
EnvironmentEurope
Sambre River Turns Fluorescent Green Amid Severe Drought
The Sambre River in Namur has turned fluorescent green due to algae and potentially toxic cyanobacteria, as Wallonia faces its driest July on record.
—5 min read
TravelTourism
Walloon Tourism Off to a Strong Start This Summer Season
Wallonia reports a positive start to the summer tourism season, with strong visitor numbers driven by sunny weather and mixed impacts from the heatwave.
—4 min read
Housing & Energy
Walloon Renovation: Loans Replace Grants from October
Wallonia launches a renovation overhaul on October 1, replacing grants with loans, mandatory audits, and capped budgets for inefficient homes.
—4 min read
EconomyTransport
Wallonia Relieved as Embarkation Tax Hike Capped at €7
Belgium abandons plans to raise the embarkation tax to €10, settling on €7 after Wallonia pushed back against the impact on Charleroi Airport.
—4 min read
Energy & EnvironmentEconomy
Wallonia Unveils New Energy Renovation Support Scheme
Wallonia's new renovation support regime targets energy-inefficient homes with capped budgets, mandatory audits, and loans up to €75,000.
—4 min read
Transport
Train Service Disrupted Between Mons and La Louvière
A brush fire from a broken catenary wire halts trains between Mons and La Louvière-Sud, with replacement buses until Saturday morning.
—3 min read
EconomySocial Policy
Wallonia's Zero-Unemployment Pilot: 260 Jobs at Risk
Wallonia's TerritoiR'ES program created 265 jobs for long-term unemployed, but funding ends in 2026 and the minister says the pilot cannot continue as-is.
—5 min read
EducationSociety
Dutch Divide: Walloons Shun Language, Brussels Embraces It
Walloon students are abandoning Dutch studies while Brussels sees surging demand for the language, a new report reveals.
—5 min read
HealthEnvironment
Walloon Minister Launches Health Reform After Deadly Heat
After a record heatwave killed 1,747 in Belgium, Walloon Minister Coppieters launches iciSanté reform to reorganize primary care.
—4 min read
Disaster RecoveryEurope
Vesdre Valley Rebuild Continues Five Years After Floods
Five years after the catastrophic 2021 floods in Wallonia, reconstruction along the Vesdre river continues in Pepinster, Trooz, and Chaudfontaine.
—5 min read
EnvironmentDisasters
Wallonia Bans All Fires as Drought Sparks Forest Blaze
All five Walloon provinces ban open fires, fireworks, and campfires amid extreme drought. A pine forest in Namur has burned. 32 arrested in France.
—5 min read
HealthEnvironment
Heat Deaths in Wallonia Double Flanders, Study Reveals
Belgium's deadliest heatwave killed 1,747 people; Wallonia had 76% excess mortality versus 31% in Flanders, prompting calls for region-specific plans.
—5 min read
Weather & EnvironmentHealth
Belgium Heatwave: Code Yellow Extended, Water Crisis Deepens
Belgium faces a new heatwave with Code Yellow extended through Sunday. Wallonia struggles with water shortages as 1,747 excess deaths are confirmed.
—4 min read
InfrastructurePolitics
Interactive Map Reveals Deteriorated Bridges Across Wallonia
RTBF investigation reveals 39 critically deteriorated bridges in Wallonia, exposing infrastructure failures and a political debate over transparency.
—5 min read
EnvironmentPolitics
Can Deposit in Wallonia: Farmers Push, Government Holds Back
Walloon farmers urge the government to adopt a can deposit system as discarded cans kill livestock and contaminate crops, but officials remain cautious.
—4 min read
EnvironmentEurope
Walloon Mayor Bans Night Activities After Wolf Attacks
The mayor of Léglise bans nighttime forest activities for 20 youth camps after a wolf attack killed 21 sheep, sparking debate on risk vs. precaution.
—5 min read
EnvironmentSafety
Wolf Attack on Sheep Prompts Camp Safety Review in Wallonia
After a wolf killed 20 sheep near Léglise, the mayor is reviewing 19 planned youth camps. Experts say wolves pose no danger to humans.
—4 min read
Culture & Heritage
Bouffioulx's Last Potters Fight to Preserve a 400-Year Craft
In Bouffioulx, Belgium, the last two pottery families battle to keep a 400-year tradition alive, with a new potter bringing hope for the future.
—4 min read
TransportWeather
Only Half of LeTec Buses Have AC as Heatwave Hits Wallonia
As temperatures hit 40°C in Belgium, data reveals just 53% of LeTec buses in Wallonia have AC, forcing service suspensions and raising safety concerns.
—4 min read
TravelSociety
One in Two Walloons Fined on Vacation Abroad, Survey Finds
A new AWSR survey reveals 47% of Walloons have received fines abroad. With summer travel underway, here's what drivers need to know.
—4 min read
EconomyBelgium
Wallonia Launches Job Plus: New Incentive for Employment
Wallonia launches Job Plus on July 1, a simplified hiring incentive replacing four programs. Offers up to €1,200/month for 12-36 months via Forem.
—4 min read
SocietyPolitics
Liège Ends Free School Childcare Amid Budget Pressures
Liège ends free school childcare, introducing fees up to €75 per child. The move follows Wallonia's Plan Oxygène austerity conditions.
—4 min read
WeatherSociety
Walloon Floods Memorial: Tears Become Monument, Climate Plea
Belgium marks five years since the 2021 Walloon floods with a unique memorial collecting tears from 125 survivors into a public monument.
—4 min read
EnvironmentAgriculture
Walloon Farmers Destroy Crops Over Cadmium Contamination
RTBF investigation reveals Walloon farmers forced to destroy crops over cadmium contamination. 48,000 hectares affected, no compensation in sight.
—4 min read
PoliticsEnvironment
DNF Agents Protest Reform: 'It Will Kill Our Profession'
Walloon forestry agents protest a reform they say will destroy their profession, as chronic understaffing, aging equipment, and austerity collide.
—4 min read
TransportEconomy
Letec in Crisis: Heatwave, Breakdown, and Austerity
Walloon bus operator Letec faces heatwave disruptions, customer service collapse, and a new austerity contract demanding 20M in savings.
—4 min read
EnvironmentLegal
Belgian Court Orders Walloon Region to Equip Forest Agents
A Belgian court orders the Walloon Region to equip forest agents after a decade without uniform renewal, with €500 daily fines for non-compliance.
—4 min read
Energy & Environment
Wallonia's First Subsidy-Free Solar Farm with Batteries
Belgium's Soleilmont agrivoltaic park combines solar panels, battery storage, and sheep farming on 7 hectares without subsidies or concrete foundations.
—4 min read
LaborTransport
Wallonia's TEC Network Disrupted by Union Strike Action
Wallonia's TEC public transport network was severely disrupted Tuesday as unions staged a strike across all five provinces, affecting commuters.
—4 min read
SocietyPolitics
Sexism and Isolation: Women in Wallonia's Local Politics
A survey of 700 women elected officials in Wallonia reveals persistent sexism, work-life struggles, and isolation despite progress in representation.
—5 min read
Environment & ClimateEurope
Dolhain Gives Rivers Space Back in Flood Prevention Project
The Belgian town of Dolhain pioneers nature-based flood prevention by giving rivers more space, demolishing buildings, and restoring waterways to open air.
—5 min read
EnvironmentAgriculture
Walloon Farmers Destroy Crops in Cadmium Crisis
Walloon farmers destroy crops as cadmium from industry and fertilizers contaminates soil. No compensation exists for affected growers.
—4 min read
PoliticsEconomy
Plan Oxygène: 100M Euros Spent on Struggling Walloon Towns
Wallonia's Plan Oxygène has cost 100 million euros since 2022, covering loan interest for 27 struggling municipalities.
—4 min read
EnvironmentHealth
Walloon Farmers Destroy Crops as Cadmium Crisis Deepens
RTBF investigation reveals Walloon farmers destroying cadmium-contaminated vegetables, with 48,000 hectares affected and no compensation.
—5 min read
EnvironmentBelgium
Ciney Chicken Farm Project Sparks Outrage Among Residents
A proposed 39,000-chicken industrial farm in Ciney, Wallonia has sparked fierce local opposition, legal challenges, and debate over industrial agriculture.
—5 min read
PoliticsEconomy
Walloon Cities Sound Alarm Over Financial Crisis
Wallonia's major cities warn of a deepening financial crisis as rising costs and insufficient funding threaten essential public services.
—4 min read
EducationPolitics
Teachers Block Standardized Exams in Liège Province
Teachers in Liège province block CE1D and CESS exams, escalating protests against the MR-Engagés government's education austerity package.
—4 min read
TransportBelgium
Letec Network Disrupted Across Wallonia as Workers Protest
Wallonia's Letec transport network faced major disruptions Tuesday as staff joined an interprofessional demonstration against austerity policies in Namur.
—5 min read
PoliticsEconomy
Walloon Budget Debate: PS Warns of Painful Austerity Cuts
Christie Morreale of Belgium's Socialist Party criticizes the Walloon budget adjustment, arguing savings can be made without harming citizens.
—4 min read
BusinessEconomy
Walloon SME Elneo Acquires Rivals in France and Netherlands
Belgian compressed air specialist Elneo buys Alto Instruments and Airtec Pneumatic Engineering, boosting revenue to €30 million.
—4 min read
Politics
MR Loses One-Third of Voters as Walloons Turn on Bouchez
Belgium's MR party lost a third of its voters in a new poll, falling from 28.2% to 20.1% in Wallonia amid economic woes and Bouchez's polarizing style.
—4 min read
EducationPolitics
Belgium Education Crisis: Exam Cancellations Loom in Schools
Teacher strikes and protests over austerity measures in French-speaking Belgium threaten end-of-year exams as the Mars Attacks! movement gains momentum.
—5 min read
PoliticsEconomy
Wallonia Inheritance Tax Reform in Doubt Amid Budget Crisis
Walloon Minister-President Dolimont questions already-voted inheritance tax reform as region faces €2 billion deficit.
—4 min read
AgricultureClimate
Walloon Farmers Demand Climate Risk Reform After Storms
After storms dumped 120mm of rain on Wallonia, the Walloon Federation of Agriculture calls for a public-private system to share climate risks.
—4 min read
PoliticsEconomy
Walloon Debt Debate: Fact-Checking the €820 Million Claim
The PS accuses Wallonia's government of adding €820M to regional debt. A fact-check reveals both sides have valid points in a complex fiscal debate.
—5 min read
Transport & MobilityBelgium
Why Walloons Still Choose Cars: Geography, Not Just Habit
Seven in ten Walloons rely on cars as their primary transport. Minister Desquesnes explains why Wallonia's rural reality makes public transit a challenge.
—5 min read
WeatherDisaster
Wallonia Flooding: Waters Exceed 2021 Disaster Levels
Catastrophic flooding in Wallonia surpasses 2021 disaster levels. 20,000 without water, schools closed, and a Leuven photographer loses everything.
—4 min read
EnvironmentBusiness
Pairi Daiza CEO Slams 'Ideological Wall' Against Science
Pairi Daiza CEO Éric Domb criticizes ideological opposition to zoos and defends conservation work after renouncing an 11.5M euro Walloon subsidy.
—4 min read
WeatherBelgium
Severe Storms and Flooding Batter Wallonia and Brabant
Violent overnight storms swept through Wallonia and Brabant, causing widespread flooding, road closures, and property damage from hail.
—4 min read
EnergyEconomy
Belgium: Grid Operators to Compensate Solar Panel Owners
Walloon government mandates grid operators to compensate solar panel owners when systems disconnect due to grid saturation, with payments starting in 2027.
—4 min read
Politics
Belgium Shaken as MR Plunges, PS and PTB Surge in New Poll
The 2026 RTBF National Survey reveals dramatic political shifts in Belgium: MR collapses in Wallonia and Brussels while PS and far-left PTB surge to lead.
—4 min read
EnergyEconomy
Wallonia Mandates Solar Panel Disconnection Compensation
Belgium's Walloon region requires grid operators to compensate solar panel owners when systems disconnect due to grid overload, in a landmark policy.
—5 min read
Culture & EventsEurope
Mons Ducasse Festivities: A UNESCO Heritage Celebration
The traditional Ducasse de Mons, a UNESCO-recognized festival, is underway in Belgium with parades, the Lumeçon combat, and notable guests of honor.
—4 min read
SocietyAccessibility
Bambois Lake Listed on New Accessibility Platform
Bambois Lake in Fosses-la-Ville joins the redesigned Access-i.be platform, cataloging 359 accessible locations for people with disabilities in Wallonia.
—4 min read
EnvironmentHealth
One in Five Walloons Hit by Road Noise, Probe Reveals
RTBF investigation reveals 660,000 Walloons suffer dangerous road noise. WHO guidelines clash with Wallonia's 70 dB limit as new anti-noise plan looms.
—4 min read
LifestyleEconomy
Walloons Lead Belgium in Organic Food, New Study Shows
Walloons spend €147 per capita on organic food, the highest in Belgium. But while consumption grows, organic production declines for a third year.
—5 min read
PoliticsEconomy
Belgium Faces Twin Budget Crises as Austerity Pressures Rise
Walloon Minister-President Dolimont demands €2B in new cuts while federal coalition faces centenindex vote and €7B budget gap.
—5 min read
PoliticsEconomy
Walloon Government Breaks Taboos in €2B Austerity Push
Wallonia's MR-Engagés coalition government announces €2 billion in new austerity measures, breaking political taboos and straining coalition unity.
—4 min read
EconomyPolitics
Walloon Service Voucher System Set for Major Reform
Wallonia prepares to reform its titres-services system as Minister Jeholet warns of financial strain, labor shortages, and risk of undeclared work.
—4 min read