Police clash with rioters as thousands march against Belgian budget cuts

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 18:14 · Archive

Police arrested about 20 rioters during clashes in Brussels as unions and students marched against planned government cost-saving measures.

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Brussels as unions and students marched against planned government cost-saving measures. The strike was called by Belgium's two largest unions, the socialist FGTB/ABVV and Christian CSC/ACV, which oppose budget measures they say would force workers, pensioners and low-income households to bear the burden of reducing the country's deficit. The walkout disrupted public transport, air travel, and many schools and childcare facilities.

While the main march of about 30,000 people passed off peacefully, clashes erupted near Brussels Central Station. A small group of masked protesters dressed in black threw rocks, bottles, bricks, stones and fireworks at police, set rental bikes on fire and damaged public property. Police used water cannon and tear gas to disperse the groups. Police said 21 people had been detained or arrested, including 13 minors.

The Belgian protests are part of a wave of demonstrations sweeping Europe. Students in France and Italy have taken to the streets over education funding, while tens of thousands have rallied in Spain over a housing crisis. Demonstrators in Brussels carried placards reading 'I skipped class to defend class' and 'Education is a right, not a privilege'. FGTB/ABVV president Bert Engelaar had urged rioters to stay away from the protest ahead of the march.

Police clash with rioters as thousands march against Belgian budget cuts — Image: Perth Now

Comments (0)

How it is being reported

Belgian police, rioters clash as unions, students marchBrussels police have arrested about 20 rioters on the margins of a demonstration against cost-saving measures planned by the Belgian government.Perth Now · 9 Oct, 17:28
Belgian police, rioters clash as unions, students marchBrussels police have arrested about 20 rioters on the margins of a demonstration against cost-saving measures planned by the Belgian government.The West Australian · 9 Oct, 17:27

In this story: Belgium · Brussels · FGTB/ABVV · CSC/ACV · Bert Engelaar · France · Italy · Spain

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem