And besides Brussels (EU government) and Brussels (national government), both prone to internal disagreements, there’s also the prone-to-disagreement Brussels (provincial government).

https://www.brusselstimes.com/1862716/542-days-brussels-breaks-belgian-record-for-longest-period-without-a-government

‘Tumbling into the abyss’ – Brussels breaks record for longest period without government

Monday, 1 December 2025

As of today (Tuesday), the Brussels-Capital Region has been without an elected government for 542 days – breaking the world record of 541 days, held by Belgium’s Federal Government led by Elio Di Rupo (PS) in 2011.

EDIT: Here we have Brussels (provincial government) being threatened by Brussels (national government) over Brussels (provincial government) going to Brussels (EU government) for funds:

https://www.courthousenews.com/a-city-without-government-how-brussels-keeps-running-despite-its-leaders/

Most damning: Brussels’ auditors have been unable to certify annual accounts since 2017, with the federal Court of Auditors in recent years going from “refusing to certify” to outright “abstaining.” It’s a sign the data is no longer reliable enough to evaluate.

The crisis turned public in Schuman Square, at the geographic heart of EU power flanked by the EU Council and the European Commission headquarters. Unable to cover a 12-million-euro cost overrun on renovations, the Mobility Minister wrote to five European institutions begging for financial help — and was publicly rebuked by Prime Minister Bart De Wever.

“It is truly a disgrace, a total humiliation, the Brussels Region begging for money to build a square,” the N-VA leader said. De Wever, the first Flemish nationalist politician to hold the office of prime minister of Belgium, has escalated pressure with unprecedented threats.

In May, he declared bluntly: “If Brussels comes asking the federal government for money, I will put it under guardianship.” He promised to “impose strict austerity conditions to put a stop to the ‘malgoverno’ in Brussels.”