Nationwide Strike Disrupts Belgium as Tens of Thousands Protest Government Cuts

Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets in Brussels as part of a national strike over government reforms and spending cuts that has brought flights to a halt and severely disrupted public transport.Belgium's three big unions are protesting over pensions and other measures by Prime Minister Bart de Wever's centre-right government aimed at cutting the budget deficit. There were no services at Belgium's second biggest airport at Charleroi, and all departures and many of the arrivals were cancelled at Brussels Airport. While some trains were operating, most buses, trams, and underground trains in the capital were out of service. Shipping at Antwerp, Europe's second biggest port, was suspended due to understaffing.Midday reports estimated that around 80,000 protesters had gathered in Brussels. Public sector workers voiced their discontent against austerity measures, expressing concerns over the government's inclination towards right-leaning policies.A central issue for the unions is the government's plan to increase the retirement age and eliminate specific beneficial schemes for workers in sectors like the military and railways. Additional measures include limiting unemployment benefits and further cuts to the upcoming budget.Demonstrators emphasized a need for unity in the face of continued austerity, highlighting that working-class populations are repeatedly forced to shoulder the financial burdens imposed by government cuts. Some encounters between masked individuals and police escalated into disturbances, but the majority of protests remained peaceful.}