If Arizona had a difficult birth, Belgium's new government now faces a baptism of fire as it attempts to deliver the slew of socio-economic reforms outlined in the much-debated "supernote" that the five coalition parties finally signed at the start of the month.
Since September, the 13th of the month has become synonymous with civil protest as unions show their opposition to De Wever's government – which plans a series of workplace reforms in a bid to reduce Belgium's budget deficit (and stop EU regulators breathing down our neck). 13 January brought a crowd of 30,000 to Brussels – teachers, airport staff, rail workers, firefighters, and prison guards making a show of their objection to a government that at the time had not even been formed.
This time around a government is in place and one that has committed to raising the pension age (from 65 to 67). Whilst the grievances vary between unions, they are united by their rejection of pension changes. The disruptions are substantial: no flights can land or leave the country all day and some passengers are being bussed to Schipol instead. And much of Brussels is affected by the action, although it has become a calendar fixture that we're accustomed to working around.
For the Arizona government, the widespread anger not only tests their effectiveness but also how they engage with large parts of society. The economically conservative coalition was always expected to tack towards austerity, but the standoff this has triggered could severely damage their effectiveness. A general strike has been announced at the end of March which could paralyse the country even more than the demonstrations we see today. And not forgetting the unprecedented nine days of strikes that will bring Belgian trains to a halt at the end of this month.
And though the business response to a new government was widely positive, the swelling criticism for Arizona threatens to solidify the narrative that De Wever's government is deaf to the concerns of a major part of the population. Moreover, with the strikes now in their sixth month and continuing regardless of the government, one may ask where this might end.
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1. National strike day: 60,000 protest in Brussels, roads and tunnels closed
Tens of thousands of people are expected to go on strike today. As a result, multiple services across the country will grind to a halt. Read more.
2. National strike: What trade unions say about Belgium’s budget woes
Belgian unions believe the new Federal Government’s planned spending cuts have "little to do with getting the budget in order". Read more.
3. Brussels Airport warns of crowds on Friday – 10,000 extra passengers expected
"Based on our current information, there will be 483 flights (departures and arrivals) on Friday." Read more.
4. Brussels Bright returns this week: What to expect from this year’s light festival
The Bright Festival will take over the streets and squares of Brussels for four days this week. Discover the Belgian capital in a whole new light. Read more.
5. Belgium’s fertility rate at its lowest in 30 years
"We initially thought this was linked to the financial-economic crisis, but other factors seem to be at play as well." Read more.
6. Le Chou: EU Commission Threatens To Do Some Work This Year
Eurocrats Will Be Expected To Actually Work In 2025, Claims EU Executive Branch. Read more.
7. Finding Neutrino: Breakthrough discovery of ultra-high energy ‘phantom particles’
A record-breaking neutrino has been detected by a vast telescope 3.5km deep in the Mediterranean Sea. These "cosmic messengers" hold the key to understanding our Universe. Read more.
