Violence clashes during anti-Government protests in Brussels

Police have used water cannon and tear gas against protestors angry at austerity measures and free-market reforms in Belgium. Some 100,000 workers converged on downtown Brussels to demonstrate against government policies that will extend the pension age, contain wages and cut public services. Some protesters clashed with riot police, as pictures emerged of cars being overturned, paving stones being thrown, fireworks being set off and bins being torched. Paramedics treated at least one protester, who suffered a broken nose.

The signal is clear. People are angry, livid. This government’s policies are totally unbalanced.

ACV union chief Marc Leemans

Rail companies sold low-cost tickets to increase protest numbers in the capital. Unions contradicted police figures by saying 130,000 demonstrators were present on the march. The protest marked the start of a month-long campaign against Belgium’s new centre-right coalition. It will be capped with a nationwide strike on 15 December. The first protest partially paralysed the capital of the European Union on a day when finance ministers from eurozone countries were due to arrive. Member states like Greece, Spain and Italy have also experienced violent protests against austerity. The Belgian cabinet is due to hold crisis talks with the three main unions later today.

I share the concern of the people and the measures of the government are unjust.

Former Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo

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