A major trade union protest has taken place in Brussels. Tens of thousands showed their opposition to possible cuts by the Belgian Government.
Some far-left agitators were said to be using the opportunity to instigate violence.
While most of the participants behaved well, a number of extremists were accused of causing havoc across the European capital from the early hours of today, putting up barricades in the streets and setting them ablaze, causing major traffic disruptions.
Union leaders called for action, despite the ruling government majority not having yet agreed upon specific cuts. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever did warn that there was an urgent need for major savings because the country was spending far too much money.
Unions say any cuts will take money off the working people and the poor. Instead they called for “a real billionaires tax” targeting the rich.
Organised by Belgium’s three major unions, the Christian ACV-CSC, Socialist FGTB-ABVV and Liberal CGSLB-ACLVB, the action marked the latest episode in a year-long battle over the coalition government’s budget-balancing measures.
Police estimated 80,000 participants converged on the city centre, marching from Brussels North Station to the South Station under banners decrying “Pension Theft” and chants of solidarity for workers’ rights.
Blowing whistles, waving coloured balloons and releasing smoke bombs, the crowd voiced fury at proposals to raise the retirement age to 67, freeze wage indexation to inflation and slash early retirement options.
There was also a strike, paralysing air traffic, busses and subways in Belgium. The railway stayed open, allowing more people to get to the city.
Prison guards went on strike, leaving Belgian prisons to look for external help.
Shipping was severely impacted as well, with inland activities being particularly hit.
In the crowds, there were radicals from Antifa, who reportedly started rioting and attacked some buildings.
Local police arrested dozens for alleged vandalism.
The unrest peaked around noon near Pacheco Boulevard, where a splinter group hurled projectiles, paint bombs and fireworks at a federal migration services building, shattering windows and starting small blazes.
Officers in riot gear had to step in.
Het vandalisme tegen mijn diensten heeft niets te maken met recht op staken. Wie onze medewerkers of gebouwen belaagt, valt onze samenleving aan. Mijn steun naar het personeel dat dit moet meemaken. Ondanks massale inzet van de politie heeft dit crapuul zijn ware gelaat getoond. pic.twitter.com/Xr2RgybFpF
— Anneleen Van Bossuyt (@anneleen_vb) October 14, 2025
State Secretary of Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt reacted in outrage, saying: “The vandalism against my services has nothing to do with the right to strike. Whoever harasses our employees or buildings is attacking our society.
“My support to the staff who have to go through this. Despite massive police deployment, this scum has shown its true face.”
Left-wing protesters also targeted the headquarters of the Socialist Party, the Flemish wing of which is part of government; the French-speaking part is in the opposition.
Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the rioters.
At the Finance Tower, the police had to intervene again, using water cannon. Many activists were dressed in blacked and covered their faces.
Union leaders condemned the violence but it continued, with radicals trashing the local Hilton hotel near the central rail station.
They threw bottles, firework and other projectiles at the police.
Ultimately, the protest was forced to end earlier because security could not be guaranteed, much to the dismay of the organisers.
🇧🇪 Suite à la manifestation, des casseurs s’en sont pris au Hilton Hôtel.
Des employés blessés et envoyés à l’hôpital, d’autres disent être traumatisés. 🚑🩼La faute à qui ça, est ce qu’il y aura enfin des conséquences pour ça ?
🤯Vous vous rendez compte de la violence ?
Ces… pic.twitter.com/SeDmhPgJL4— Simao.rda 🦅 (@Simao_rda) October 14, 2025
