Thousands are set to take to the streets of Brussels today in the latest trade union-backed demonstration against austerity reforms by the Federal Government.
The national demonstration was organised by the Belgian trade unions CSC/ACV, FGTB/ABVV, and CGSLB/ACLVB. A similar action was organised earlier this year in March.
The unions are calling for better working conditions, a better pension scheme, and for Belgium to maintain the full and automatic wage indexation, among other things.
Demonstrators are expected to gather from 09:00 near Boulevard du Roi Albert II in Brussels. The demonstration is expected to start around 11:30 and end around 15:00 near Brussels-Midi station, according to the City of Brussels.
Demonstrators will walk through Boulevard du Jardin Botanique, Boulevard Bischoffsheim, Avenue des Arts, Boulevard du Régent, Avenue de la Toison d'Or, Boulevard de Waterloo, Avenue de la Porte de Hal, and Boulevard du Midi, before arriving at the Esplanade de l'Europe.
Traffic across the capital is set to be disrupted throughout most of the day, particularly near the route of the demonstration. Several sectors warned ahead of the strike that their services would face significant disruptions.
The Brussels Times will be covering the latest updates in this live blog as the national demonstration unfolds.
Are you demonstrating or are you affected by the union action? Share your story with The Brussels Times by sending an email to r.alves@brusselstimes.com, or via Bluesky at @r-2-d-a.bsky.social or X at @R_2_D_A.
Key updates:
- All Brussels tunnels and roads open to traffic
- Flyers for 14 June protest distributed
- Belgium to stick to capped wage indexation
- Only two Brussels metros running
[16:17] - Live blog closed
This live blog is closing as the day of union action comes to an end.
Thank you for following the live blog on The Brussels Times.
[15:25] - Video:Music and dancing during Brussels demonstration
Clips of people who participated in the Brussels demonstration earlier today. Credit: Belga/Maarten Weynants
[15:06] - Unions say 75,000 people demonstrated in Brussels
Police announced earlier today that 40,000 people had taken to the streets of the capital.
The turnout was lower than the national demonstration that took place in March, where between 80,000 and 100,000 people demonstrated in Brussels.
This was the tenth major protest against the austerity measures of the De Wever government.
[14:51] - Pension reform referred to Council of State
PS, Vlaams Belang, PTB, the greens and DéFI supported the referral. According to Belga News Agency, Anders wants to move on to the parliamentary debate. Read more about the pension reform here.
[13:47] - Brussels reopened to car traffic
All Brussels tunnels are open to traffic. The traffic restrictions around the route of the demonstration have also been lifted.
"The traffic situation is returning to normal," added Brussels Mobility.
[13:43] - Last demonstrators reach Brussels-Midi station
The last demonstrators began to arrive at Brussels-Midi around 13:15. The atmosphere throughout the demonstration has been relatively calm and mostly festive, as photographs show.
People take the streets for a national demonstration in Brussels on 12 May 2026. Credit: Belga/Marius Burgelman
People take the streets for a national demonstration in Brussels on 12 May 2026. Credit: Belga/Marius Burgelman
People take the streets for a national demonstration in Brussels on 12 May 2026. Credit: Belga/Marius Burgelman
People take the streets for a national demonstration in Brussels on 12 May 2026. Credit: Belga/Marius Burgelman
People take the streets for a national demonstration in Brussels on 12 May 2026. Credit: Belga/Marius Burgelman
[13:29] - More Brussels tunnels open to traffic
The following tunnels are open in Brussels:
- Gineste exit between Botanique and Rogier to the Basilica
- Rogier, Botanique, Arts-Loi and Madou to Midi
[13:21] - Some Brussels tunnels reopened
Brussels Mobility reported that the following tunnels are open to traffic:
- Reyers to the city centre
- Tervueren, Cinquantenaire, Loi to the city centre.
[13:10] - Brief unrest reported near MR HQ
According to Belga News Agency, anti-fascist activists stopped near the MR headquarters to throw firecrackers and other projectiles, but left the area calmly a few minutes later.
There were no reported clashes between the activists and the heavily armed police officers in the area.
[13:02] - 40,000 people at Brussels demonstration, says police
People take the streets for a national demonstration organised by the national trade unions on Tuesday 12 May 2026 in Brussels. Credit: Belga/Marius Burgelman
a national demonstration against the rising energy prices and social reforms by the government, organized by the three national trade unions on Tuesday 12 May 2026 in Brussels. Credit: Belga/Marius Burgelman
People take the streets for a national demonstration organised by the national trade unions on Tuesday 12 May 2026 in Brussels. Credit: Belga/Marius Burgelman
People take the streets for a national demonstration organised by the national trade unions on Tuesday 12 May 2026 in Brussels. Credit: Belga/Marius Burgelman
[12:52] - Retail sector reaches labour agreement
Trade unions and employers in the independent supermarket and retail sector reached a labour agreement for 2026 and 2027, according to employers' groups Unizo and Buurtsuper.be.
The agreement includes the establishment of a mediation committee that can intervene in disputes that cannot be resolved at a company level. Efforts will also be made to prevent staff burnout. Read more here.
[12:41] - First demonstrators arrive at Brussels Midi
Demonstrators started to arrive at their final destination near Brussels-Midi around 12:00.
Demonstrators in Brussels on 12 May 2026. Credit: Belga/Marius Burgelman
[12:29] - Catch-up bin bag collections to be organised
Catch-up bin bag collections for residual waste and food waste will be organised "as soon as possible," according to Bruxelles-Propreté.
While the collection of orange bin bags for food waste was significantly disrupted in Brussels, the majority of white bin bags for residual waste were collected this morning.
Blue recycling bin bags, which were left outside today, should be kept indoors until next week's scheduled collections.
[12:20] -Woluwe-Saint-Pierre recycling park closed
All other recycling parks in Brussels are open, according to the waste management service Bruxelles-Propreté.
[12:14] - 'Poverty is a huge cost,' says demonstrator Caroline
"The Federal Government has taken so many measures targeting the most precarious people - think of limiting the unemployment benefits - in society, measures that will push people further into poverty," said Belgian Anti-Poverty Network's Caroline Van der Hoeven.
She added: "They only think in the short-term, but poverty is a huge cost, not only for the people in those precarious situations, but also for society as a whole."
Caroline Van der Hoeven of the Belgian Anti-Poverty Network holding the middle of a banner during the demonstration in Brussels on 12 May 2026. Credit: Maïthé Chini
[12:04] - Renie calls for more investment in community work
Renie Cocquyt from the citizens' movement Hart Boven Hard feels that the Arizona Government is making the Belgian society more closed off.
"Paid work is the only work that counts for them, but unpaid care work and community work are the things that keep this society alive," she told The Brussels Times.
"The government are co-opting the word 'security' to talk about the economy and immigration, but a really secure society is one where people know that someone will care for them when they’re having issues, and where they can care for others in turn," she added.
Renie Cocquyt seen holding a flag while demonstrating in Brussels on 12 May 2026. Credit: Maïthé Chini
[11:45] - Flyers for 14 June protest handed out
Flyers are being distributed at the Brussels demonstration with information about a 14 June protest against war and for social justice. The strike is set to take place in the capital.
Photograph of a flyer that is being handed out in Brussels during the national demonstraion on 12 May 2026. Credit: Maïthé Chini
[11:39] - Brussels tunnels closed to traffic
Brussels Mobility announced that the following tunnels are closed to traffic:
- All tunnels on the small ring road to Midi
- Gineste exit between Botanique and Rogier to the Basilica
- Reyers towards to centre
- Tervueren, Cinquantenaire, and Loi towards the centre.
[11:26] - Teachers strike against Flemish education 'chaos'
Teachers Ingrid and Kathleen are striking to send a message to Flemish Education Minister Zuhal Demir (N-VA).
"We teach religious and philosophical courses, which the minister is downsizing immensely," they told The Brussels Times. "Teachers will lose their jobs because of this measure. It’s chaos."
Teachers Ingrid (left) and Kathleen (right) striking in Brussels on 12 May 2026. Credit: Maïthé Chini
[11:17] - Festive atmosphere at Brussels demonstration
Several people participating in the demonstration are singing along to music, dancing or banging drums as they make their way across the capital.
People take the streets for a national demonstration in Brussels on 12 May 2026. Credit: Belga/Marius Burgelman
People take the streets for a national demonstration in Brussels on 12 May 2026. Credit: Belga/Marius Burgelman
People take the streets for a national demonstration in Brussels on 12 May 2026. Credit: Belga/Marius Burgelman
People take the streets for a national demonstration in Brussels on 12 May 2026. Credit: Belga/Marius Burgelman
[11:11] - Motorway to Brussels Airport open to traffic
The A201 was closed for over an hour and a half this morning due to a gas leak.
[11:02] - Belgium to stick to capped wage indexation
The news was confirmed in the Belgian Parliament today by the Federal Minister of Social Affairs Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit).
An alternative formula for the wage indexation was previously proposed by social partners, including trade unions. However, this did not fit the budgetary objectives of the Arizona Government.
Read more here.
[10:54] - Demonstration begins
Demonstrators can be heard shouting "all together" as they march.
Demonstrators in Brussels on 12 May 2026. Credit: Maïthé Chini
Demonstrators in Brussels on 12 May 2026. Credit: Maïthé Chini
Demonstrators in Brussels on 12 May 2026. Credit: Maïthé Chini
[10:47] - 'Tax the rich,' say Oxfam members
'We have a private jet here with a very clear message written on it: tax the rich," Sarah Van Acker from the NGO Oxfam Belgium told The Brussels Times.
“We want to show that there are several alternatives, including a wealth tax, to the austerity measures this government is opting for. Much more of this burden could be carried by the wealthy, instead if squeezing dry the many who are already struggling,” she added.
Oxfam Belgium members near Arts-Loi on 12 May 2026. Credit: Maïthé Chini
[10:41] - Crowd forms near Brussels-North station
Thousands of trade union members are moving towards Boulevard du Roi Albert II in Brussels. The demonstration is expected to set off from there around 11:00.
Leaflets with the message "everything is going up, except wages"are being handed out, according to Belga News Agency.
[10:29] - Small ring road still open to traffic
Car traffic on the R20 has not yet been restricted, reports Maïthé Chini. Traffic on the small ring road is particularly busy near Arts-Loi.
[10:10] - Motorway to Brussels Airport closed
The A201 motorway towards Brussels Airport is closed to traffic in both directions due to a gas leak at a construction site, according Belga News. The Zaventem airport recommends passengers to travel by train instead.
[10:04] - No disruptions to ferry services
Ferry services in Flanders are operating as scheduled, according to the Maritime Services and Coastal Agency.
Shipping traffic in general is running as normal.
[09:45] - Police blockade set up near MR HQ
A security perimeter was set up near the headquarters of the political party Mouvement Réformateur (MR), reports Maïthé Chini.
Access to the nearby Hôtel des Monnaies metro stops has been blocked.
Police blockade around the headquarters of the party MR on 12 May 2026. Credit: Maïthé Chini
Entrance to the Hotel de Monnaie metro stops (near MR HQ) closed on 12 May 2026. Credit: Maïthé Chini.
[09:15] - Small businesses group denounces union action
UNIZO, the Flemish group which represents entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), strongly criticised the impact of the union action on businesses, saying that SMEs have to foot the bill for strikers' "early extended weekend”.
The group advocated for clear industrial action agreements, with a framework for strikes, for legal representatives for unions to have more responsibility for union actions, and for strikes to be used as a last resort after all other avenues for negotiations have been exhausted.
[08:38] - Brussels Airport anticipates busy day tomorrow
Several passengers have rescheduled their flights to tomorrow after around half of the flights to and from Zaventem originally scheduled for today were cancelled.
Passengers flying on 13 May are advised to consult Brussels Airport's app or website to determine at what time they should arrive at the airport.
[08:22] - Charleroi flights diverted to Maastricht
Ahead of the national demonstration, it was announced that no passenger flights would depart or land at Brussels South Charleroi Airport (BSCA) on 12 May.
Several arriving and departing flights have been diverted to Maastricht instead, according to the BSCA's website.
Screenshot of the status of arriving flights scheduled for 12 May 2026 at Brussels South Charleroi Airport. Credit: Brussels South Charleroi Airport's website
[07:06] - Map of demonstration route
Map showing the route of the demonstration. Credit: Brussels Mobility
[06:59] - Ganshoren mobile recycling service cancelled
The recycling service will be available tomorrow instead in the parking lot of the municipal swimming pool at Place Reine Fabiola, according to the waste management service Bruxelles-Propreté.
[06:39] - Police advise to avoid Brussels by car
Traffic is set to be significantly disrupted between 10:00 and 15:00, according to local police.
Most traffic disruptions are expected near Brussels-North station, Boulevard du Jardin Botanique, the R20, and near Brussels-Midi.
[06:11] - Only two metros running in Brussels
Metro line 1 and 5 are running in Brussels, confirmed the Brussels operator STIB/MIVB shortly after 06:00.
Tram line 4,7, 8, 10, 82, and 92 are currently operational.
Tram line 92 towards Schaerbeek station is being diverted between Sainte-Marie and Verboekhoven via Liedts, due to an issue on the road.
The bus lines that are running are line 12 (serves all stops on its route),14, 36, 46, 48, 53, 59, 65, 71, 87 (extended from Simonis to Étangs Noirs) and 95.
Overview of transport lines that are operational in Brussels: Credit: STIB/MIVB
[05:46] - Blue bin bag collection postponed
Blue bin bags for plastic packaging and drink cartons will not be collected today in Brussels, according to the waste management company Bruxelles-Propreté.
Residents affected by the postponed waste collections are asked to put their blue bin bags outside according to the normal schedule starting next week.
[05:41] - Parking forbidden along small ring road
Parking will be prohibited from 10:00 along the R20 between Porte de Namur and Boulevard Maurice Lemonnier, local police warned.
[05:38] - Tunnels to Brussels city centre to close
The Reyers-Centre, Cinquantenaire and Loi tunnels in the direction of the city centre will close from 10:00.
It is likely that other tunnels near the route of the demonstration will be closed at some point today, according to Brussels Mobility.
[05:34] - Passengers warned of busy Brussels trains
A high number of passengers are expected on trains to and from Brussels as more people are set to travel today to join the demonstration, warned the train operator SNCB/NMBS.
Trains towards Brussels-North are set to be busiest between 08:00 and 11:00, while trains departing from Brussels-Midi are expected to be busiest between 12:00 and 16:00.
SNCB/NMBS advise against travelling with bicycles or scooters on the train for space and safety reasons.
[05:31] - Live blog opens
Good morning from The Brussels Times newsroom!
Rita Alves here, with a large cup of coffee, ready to take you through the latest developments as the day of union action unfolds.
If you're joining the demonstration or are affected by it, get in touch! Share your story or pictures by sending me an email at r.alves@brusselstimes.com or reach out on Bluesky at @r-2-d-a.bsky.social or X at @R_2_D_A.
