Thousands Protest Austerity in Brussels as Riots Erupt

Tens of thousands of people rallied in Brussels on Friday to protest rising living costs and government budget-tightening measures. The demonstrations, organized by the FGTB/ABVV and CSC/ACV unions, disrupted schools, air travel, and public transport. While the primary march remained peaceful, a separate group of masked protesters clashed with police near Brussels Central Station, using rocks and firecrackers to set fire to buses and city bikes.

Bart De Wever, the Prime Minister of Belgium, defended the austerity measures as necessary to prevent a debt and interest-cost spiral. Riot police responded to the violence with tear gas, water cannons, and baton charges, resulting in 21 detentions, including 13 minors. The unrest follows a week of tensions in Liege, where student clashes led to over 200 arrests.

Some reports characterize the violence as part of a broader spread of far-left riots from France to Belgium, alleging that Antifa and second- and third-generation migrants joined forces in the unrest. While union organizers estimated the Brussels turnout at 50,000, police estimated approximately 30,000 participants.