Belgian Protesters and Police Clash During Strike over Austerity Measures

Violent clashes broke out between protesters and police on Wednesday in the Belgian capital of Brussels, the second day of strikes and protests against the government’s austerity policies that have grounded planes and local transportation, and brought the city to a halt, Politico reported. 

Some masked protesters vandalized the Immigration Office in Brussels and the offices of political parties. Others threw projectiles and glass bottles at police, who responded with water cannons and tear gas. Security forces reported several arrests following the clashes and incidents of vandalism and arson, according to Euronews. 

The violence follows a union-led national strike against government cuts that began on Tuesday, the latest to hit Belgium since Flemish nationalist Bart De Wever, of the nationalist New Flemish Alliance, became prime minister in February. The government says that austerity measures are needed because the country’s ballooning budget deficit violates European Union rules, France 24 wrote. 

Among the austerity measures criticized by protesters is a pensions reform that would raise the retirement age from 65 to 67 by 2030.   

Trade unions accuse the government of not listening to their concerns and sidestepping consultations on labor legislation. They add that this is a violation of Belgium’s longstanding tradition of dialogue between unions and employers. 

Still, the strike soon broadened beyond members of the union into protests joined by various groups, including doctors, students, teachers, and others. The grievances ranged from anger at stricter migration policies to the increase in annual tuition fees for schools. 

The strike was likely the largest in a decade in the country. Meanwhile, police estimate about 80,000 people have been on the streets protesting this week.