Tens of thousands of Belgians took to the streets on Monday in a massive nationwide strike protesting proposed pension reforms, bringing much of the country to a standstill. The demonstrations come at a critical time as political parties negotiate to form a new federal government coalition.
Over 30,000 protesters, including firefighters, teachers and union members, marched through central Brussels denouncing what they called an "attack on pensions." The demonstrators demanded better working conditions, higher employer pension contributions, and reduced career length requirements for physically demanding jobs.
The unions organized the protest amid fears that the incoming government plans to implement pension reforms aimed at saving 3 billion euros. Protesters also voiced opposition to corporate tax breaks, arguing they unfairly shift the financial burden to workers.
The strike caused major disruptions across Belgium's transportation network. Only one-third of trains operated between major cities, while Brussels saw reduced metro, tram and bus services. In Wallonia, most bus routes were completely suspended. Air travel was severely impacted, with Brussels Airport canceling 40 percent of flights and Charleroi Airport halting all operations from noon.
The education sector saw widespread closures, with approximately 40 percent of primary and secondary schools in Flanders shutting their doors. An estimated 25,000 Flemish teachers joined the protests - a turnout that local media described as "historic."
The demonstration, which began at 10:00 AM local time, proceeded through Brussels' central streets for about two and a half hours. While the overall atmosphere remained festive, some isolated incidents were reported. Other public services, including garbage collection and postal delivery, experienced delays in Brussels and Walloon Brabant.
The strike highlights growing tensions between workers and the proposed government policies, as Belgium's political parties work to finalize coalition agreements and address contentious issues like pension reform.