By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-10-09 20:35:55 | Updated at 2026-10-12 07:40:36
2 days ago
Protests have erupted in Brussels this afternoon after student demonstrators clashed with police over planned budget cuts.
Violent confrontations erupted as roughly 30,000 masked youths descended on the Belgian capital as part of a major anti-austerity demonstration.
The national strike was organised by Belgium's two biggest trade unions in opposition to Prime Minister Bart De Wever's attempt to find €10billion in savings over the coming years to bring down the country's substantial public debt.
He told reporters on Thursday that difficult fiscal decisions were "essential" to prevent a spiralling debt and interest burden that would saddle future generations with an unsustainable bill.
Groups dressed in black appeared to pelt police with rocks, bottles, paving stones and fireworks, while firefighters tackled blazes set to buses and other public property.
Officers responded by deploying water cannons and tear gas to break up the disturbances, while anti-police slogans rang through the streets and graffiti was daubed across walls nearby.
The worst of the disorder centred on the area around the Gare du Midi, Brussels' main international rail hub, where gangs of youths set rubbish bins, rental bicycles and scooters alight.
Two buses were also targeted by the groups, who smashed the windows and tore out seats after passengers had been evacuated, according to witnesses at the scene.
Near Brussels Central Station, projectiles including bricks, bottles and incendiary devices were reportedly hurled at police lines while bus stops were destroyed.
A helicopter circled above as motorists trapped in the chaos either ducked in their vehicles or filmed the unfolding disorder.
Student riots have spread across the EU as hundreds clashed with Belgian police in Brussels
REUTERS
Police confirmed that 21 individuals were detained or arrested in connection with the violence, 13 of whom were minors.
Mr De Wever remains locked in drawn-out negotiations with his coalition partners ahead of a hard deadline of October 13 to reach a budget agreement.
Unions have called instead for higher taxes on top earners rather than cuts to health spending and VAT rises.
The protests follow a 10-day-long uproar across France over a lack of educational resources and staff.
Police clashed with protesters over cost-cutting measures by Prime Minister Bart De Wever
REUTERS
Some 86,000 people had joined protests across more than 30 French towns and cities, with more than 6,000 people arrested as a result.
The French Government has said classes had been suspended either fully or partially at 891 schools across the country.
However, Emmanuel Macron made his first attempt to appease the young protesters by promising 3,000 extra supply teachers in the coming days.
Education Minister Edouard Geffray said: "3,000 teachers will join these schools in the coming hours. I will authorise school district authorities to recruit more than what is currently authorised."
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the Government "has a duty" to listen to the protesters.
He added: "We have a duty to listen to them. Taking young people seriously means supporting their engagement just as much as sharing the difficulties, but also the constraints, with them.
"High school students' voices are precious and must be heard. It is a time for dialogue called "High School Students' Time" in every high school, to allow students to express their difficulties and their proposals for improving their time at school.
"Returning to class and dialogue must go hand in hand."
