In brief
Tens of thousands rallied in Brussels as a strike against the government’s pension reforms and public service cuts resulted in significant travel disruptions, impacting over 400 flights and public transit services.
Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Brussels on Thursday as part of a nationwide strike opposing proposed pension reforms and cuts to public services initiated by the new government. The large-scale demonstrations led to all flights being canceled at Brussels Airport, with the facility reporting that over 400 flights affecting around 60,000 travelers were impacted. Passengers were warned of busy conditions on Friday as many sought to reschedule their travel plans.According to police estimates, approximately 60,000 demonstrators flooded the streets during the protest. The event caused severe disruptions to public transportation services as well. In incidents of unrest, a small faction of protesters engaged in violent actions, throwing objects at police, who responded by deploying tear gas and making several arrests. The police condemned these violent actions, emphasizing the necessity of peaceful protest.The nationwide outcry came shortly after Belgium formed a coalition government, which wrapped up a protracted seven-month negotiation period. The newly inaugurated Prime Minister Bart De Wever, head of a conservative Flemish nationalist party, is focusing on stabilizing the nation's finances and has proposed stricter immigration policies alongside social service cuts aimed at addressing the fiscal pressures related to an aging population and EU budget regulations.As various European nations grapple with similar issues, Belgium recently raised its retirement age from 65 to 66, with plans to extend it to 67 in 2030 for those born in 1960 or later—though some exceptions will apply. This trend follows France's recent controversial pension reform that increased the retirement age from 62 to 64, prompting significant backlash and protests.Chris Huybrechts, president of the VSOA Defense union representing workers in the defense sector, voiced public discontent, stating, “The government won’t listen to the people. The working class has to pay more to get less.”
