More than 100,000 protesters are expected to converge on Brussels on Tuesday, pressuring Prime Minister Bart De Wever and his coalition to reconsider austerity measures amid ongoing budget negotiations, reports 24brussels.
The demonstration, anticipated to be one of the largest since 2014, targets not only De Wever’s New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) but also his coalition partners, the Christian Democrats (CD&V) and the socialist party (Vooruit), whose backing is crucial in the current budget discussions.
In an interview on Radio 1, Ann Vermorgen, head of the Christian union ACV, stated that the strike aims to instigate political movement. “The prime minister always says there is no alternative,” she remarked. “But there are alternatives: a capital gains tax, a wealth tax, a digital tax. It can and must be done differently.”
Vermorgen criticized the government for consistently targeting vulnerable groups while sparing the affluent, stressing, “Reforms must be fair. Everyone must contribute proportionally.” She called upon the centre-left parties to lead efforts toward restoring fairness, signaling to CD&V and Vooruit that their traditional support bases are under increasing strain.
Union Power
The upcoming strike serves as a significant display of solidarity among Belgium’s unions, coinciding with governmental disputes over how to achieve €10 billion in savings. By disrupting transport networks and advocates, the unions are testing De Wever’s authority while exposing rifts among his coalition partners.
De Wever’s proposals, including an index jump, stricter unemployment regulations, and a potential VAT increase, are causing divisions within the coalition. Both CD&V and Vooruit, concerned about alienating their historical allies, view the strike as a strong warning.
Despite less direct affiliation with their former political allies, unions in Belgium remain among the strongest in Europe, representing approximately half of all workers and holding a formal role in policymaking, thus retaining significant influence over governmental actions.
“Taking to the streets always increases the pressure”
Through the anticipated disruption of transport systems and the mobilization of tens of thousands, unions intend to convey a message that cannot be overlooked. “Taking to the streets always increases the pressure,” Vermorgen emphasized in her Radio 1 interview. “It makes politicians uncomfortable, and that’s our job.”
De Wever, whose State of the Union address has been postponed due to the coalition impasse, maintains that the proposed cuts are essential. However, as CD&V and Vooruit grapple with the social repercussions of the measures, and with unions relentlessly amplifying their demands, the prime minister finds himself in a precarious situation.
Protesters during a joint demonstration in Brussels against the De Wever government’s measures © BELGA PHOTO MARIUS BURGELMAN
