Belgium is preparing for a significant wave of nationwide strikes as unions mobilize to protest against government budget cuts and proposed reforms to the pension system. The strikes, set to unfold over three days, are being implemented in phases, starting Monday with disruptions to trains and public transport. The national railway company, SNCB, anticipates operating only two out of three trains, with some lines running even less frequently. The service disruptions have already resulted in the cancellation of several Eurostar services linking Brussels and Paris.
On Tuesday, the strike will escalate as public services, including schools, crèches, and hospitals, join the action. By Wednesday, a full general strike across all sectors is expected, with no flights operating at the country’s major airports, Bruxelles-Zaventem and Charleroi.
Despite the backdrop of these strikes, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever announced on Monday that a budget agreement for the upcoming year had been reached following intense negotiations that extended through the weekend. This new budget plan includes increases in taxes on share purchases, airplane tickets, and natural gas, along with a newly introduced tax on financial institutions. Collectively, these measures aim to reduce the government’s deficit by €9.2 billion ($10.6 billion) by 2029.
This agreement comes as Belgium grapples with a budget deficit estimated at 4.5% of its gross domestic product this year and a debt-to-GDP ratio of 104.7%, surpassing limits set by EU regulations. Although the budget deal has been reached, it has not deterred unions from proceeding with their planned strikes in response to earlier announced pension system reforms.
The strikes are a critique of Prime Minister De Wever’s austerity measures, which aim to address Belgium’s high national debt in comparison to other European countries. Since taking office, De Wever has sought to implement structural reforms, but progress has been stalled due to internal divisions within the governing coalition. The unions are leveraging the strikes to put pressure on the government, calling for an end to what they describe as the dismantling of vital social programs. The socialist union FGTB has publicly accused the prime minister of displaying “contempt” towards the social movement.
In recent months, protests have drawn tens of thousands of participants, indicating growing unrest over budget cuts perceived as overly harsh. The coming days are likely to see a culmination of these tensions as unions aim to advocate for workers’ rights and social welfare amid a challenging economic landscape.