A nationwide strike brought Brussels to a standstill on Tuesday as tens of thousands of Belgians took to the streets to protest government austerity measures and pension reforms. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse parts of the crowd, leading to dozens of arrests and several injuries, in what has become Belgium’s largest demonstration in a decade.
Brussels, October 14, 2025 — Belgium’s capital witnessed its most turbulent day of social unrest in years as a massive national strike erupted into clashes between protesters and police across central Brussels. The demonstration, called by major trade unions, targeted the government’s new austerity policies and plans to raise the retirement age from 65 to 67 by 2030 — measures introduced by Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s right-wing coalition.
Police reported dozens of arrests after deploying tear gas and water cannons near Boulevard Pachéco, where masked demonstrators vandalized the Immigration Office. Several people were injured in the confrontation, while many participants expressed anger at what they called an “excessive” police response.
“We were just marching peacefully and suddenly there were smoke bombs and police. For maybe ten troublemakers, they tear-gassed everyone — the elderly, the children,” said Rafael, a postal worker whose eyes were still red from the gas.
Belgium’s Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt condemned the attacks on government buildings, calling the vandalism “an assault on our society” and expressing solidarity with public employees affected by the violence.
Anger Over Regressive Reforms
The protests drew between 80,000 and 140,000 people, according to differing estimates by police and unions — a turnout rivaling the historic 2014 general strike. Marchers included workers, teachers, lawyers, students, doctors, and families who say the government is eroding Belgium’s social model while ignoring union dialogue.
Marine Lanoy, a lawyer representing asylum seekers, said she joined the protest to denounce the government’s restrictive migration and welfare policies:
“We are here to defend our clients — women victims of violence, people denied social aid. Many cannot be here to protest for themselves.”
Federico Dessi, director of Médecins du Monde Belgium, criticized cuts to healthcare and solidarity organizations:
“They’re undermining the rights of the most vulnerable while reducing support for those trying to help them,” he said.
Voices from the Streets
Amid chants and banners calling Prime Minister De Wever and MR party leader Georges-Louis Bouchez “butchers” of social protection, protesters voiced a broad range of frustrations. Mothers’ collectives such as Bloc Poussette marched with strollers, highlighting the shortage of childcare and parental support.
“As a mother, I feel total anxiety. I don’t know how I’ll manage in a few months, and it’s scary thinking about the future for our children,” said participant Eléonore Rigaux.
Students from the University of Mons decried rising tuition fees, calling them “unfair and exclusionary,” while teachers demanded more staff and better funding.
“Take the money where it stands — from the rich, not the poor,” said Damien Van Keirsbilck, representing a teachers’ movement for education reform.
Unions Demand Dialogue
Trade union leaders accused the government of dismantling Belgium’s long-standing tradition of social dialogue between employers, unions, and the state.
“The government doesn’t listen to anyone and acts as it pleases without consulting workers. This is unacceptable in a country like Belgium,” said Alexandre Sutherland, spokesperson for the liberal union CGSLB.
Despite repeated requests, the offices of Prime Minister De Wever, the MR party, and the New Flemish Alliance declined to comment.
As dusk fell over the Grand-Place and the tear gas settled, protesters vowed to return if their concerns remain unanswered — warning that Tuesday’s strike may be only the beginning of a new wave of Belgian social unrest.
