Some 60,000 protesters took part in a national demonstration against Belgium's new Federal Government's spending cuts on Thursday, causing significant disruption in the capital.
The demonstration was called by Belgium's main unions – the Christian (ACV/CSC), socialist (ABVV/FGTB) and liberal (ACLVB/CGSLB) trade unions. At stake, were the wide range of measures announced by the new government headed by Bart De Wever (N-VA). The measures include pension reforms (which are particularly hard on public employees), cuts in numerous public services and a stricter approach to unemployment benefits, among others.
In addition to trade unionists, representatives from the health insurance funds, young people, Antifa activists and military personnel (who took specific leave for this purpose) also took to the streets. Several civil society organisations and NGOs, such as Greenpeace, Amnesty International and Unia, also took part.
The police deployed extra troops to ensure security and control traffic. However, a small group of protesters deviated from the planned route and headed towards the party headquarters of Les Engagés. In the process, police were pelted with various projectiles, including heavy metal sewer grates, fences, bolts and extinguishers.
The police deployed tear gas to drive the protesters back to their original route and prevent further escalation. The situation also got out of hand near the MR party headquarters, where some protesters threw projectiles at both the building and the police forces present.
Some 17 people were arrested, the Brussels police announced. Official reports will be drawn up. Whether any people were injured in the clashes is not yet clear. The police are also still surveying the damage.
During the demonstration, new Federal Minister for Employment and Economy David Clarinval (MR) had to hide under a hat and a scarf to hide from angry demonstrators, Belga News Agency reports.
'Unbalanced'
Overall, unions considered the demonstration and mobilisation a success. "Many people came to Brussels, which shows that there is substantial anger and concern in the labour sector," said Marie-Hélène Ska, Secretary-General of the ACV/CSC union. "This concern must be acknowledged and cannot be dismissed lightly."
Ska criticised the government deal as "very unbalanced," saying that out of the €23 billion in savings, more than two-thirds will come from workers. "Impoverishing a segment of the population will not improve the well-being of society or the economy."
Union members gather at the Brussels-North railway station. Credit: Belga/ Gauthier Descamps
However, she called it a "positive signal" that De Wever invited the trade unions and social partners for discussions on Wednesday, the day before the strike. "It was a cordial meeting, but the core issues remain the measures that are entirely unbalanced for the labour sector."
Ska further criticised employers for benefiting from measures that increase workforce flexibility. "These measures turn workers into disposable tools. This is not how we build a future or respect each other’s rights."
Protests against the newly formed Federal Government will continue with a general strike on 31 March. “This will be an ongoing step, not a final one. As long as this injustice persists, we will be here to say this is not how things should be."
Union members gather for a national demonstration against the new government declaration, on Thursday 13 February. Credit: Belga/ Nicolas Maeterlinck
In the Parliament, the demonstration led to a heavy debate, with left-wing opposition parties mostly supporting the protesters. Sophie Thémont (PS) reproached the government with a "disdain for the working class." Meanwhile, Sarah Schlitz (Ecolo-Green) felt that the 'Arizona' Government was "declaring war on Belgians."
Meanwhile, liberal MP Steven Coenegrachts (Open VLD) took a different angle. "You have done nothing but move to the left in the past eight months. What assures us that this time you will not also capitulate to the unions, that you will stand up for the 5 million people who did go to work today?"
For the governing parties, CD&V leader Sammy Mahdi said that while "some on the left pretend that the reforms are a choice," he stressed they are instead "an absolute must" to safeguard social security for future generations.
"Just explain to your children that we should not change anything and will continue to spend money that is not there," added MR leader Georges-Louis Bouchez. "The result is that they will not have the same level of prosperity."
Prime Minister De Wever said he understood that people are worried, but stressed that nobody can deny the need for the reforms. "If we do not adjust our social systems quickly, we are heading for the biggest budget deficit in the whole of Europe and our welfare state will become totally unaffordable."
