Brussels erupted in protest on Tuesday as a national strike brought the city’s air traffic and public transportation to a grinding halt. The widespread demonstrations were a direct response to the government’s proposed austerity measures.
Leading the charge were Belgium’s major trade unions, vehemently opposing new legislation that would significantly impact pensions, working conditions, and salaries across the nation.
This latest strike marks another chapter in a series of union-led actions since a new federal coalition government assumed power earlier this year. The government’s core promise was to stabilize Belgium’s struggling budget. Estimates from the police suggest that approximately 80,000 individuals participated in Tuesday’s protests.
Operations at Brussels Airport, the country’s largest air hub, were severely affected. All outgoing flights and roughly half of all incoming flights were canceled due to security staff and baggage handlers joining the strike. This disruption impacted over 300 flights and 48,000 passengers. Furthermore, Charleroi Airport, Belgium’s second-busiest, saw all its flights canceled.
While intercity train services within Belgium maintained their regular schedules, public transit services within Brussels and other areas experienced significant disruptions. In the Flanders region, for instance, a substantial 40% of buses and trams were out of service.
The morning saw protesters gathering at Brussels North Station. Some ignited firecrackers and flares, creating a vibrant atmosphere as they marched through the city center, culminating their demonstration at Brussels South Station.
By midday, police intervened and arrested several dozen demonstrators. This occurred after a government building on Pacheco Boulevard was targeted and vandalized with various projectiles, including paint bombs and firecrackers, according to an official police statement.
The government’s controversial proposals, introduced in July, include sweeping changes to laws governing pensions, the labor market, healthcare, and taxation. Prime Minister Bart De Wever described these as “the biggest socio-economic reforms of the century.” However, unions and opposition parties have sharply criticized these proposals, arguing they would dismantle the country’s foundational welfare system.
Currently, the government is engaged in critical budget negotiations, aiming to reduce the national deficit by an ambitious target of at least 10 billion euros (approximately $11.6 billion) by the year 2029.