A general strike has begun in Belgium against the reduction of pensions and social payments by 3 billion euros. As reported by the three largest trade unions of the kingdom, the protest action will last 24 hours. We learn about it from the TASS agency.
Teachers, public transport, railway and airport workers, including security guards and porters, as well as prison guards, postmen, firefighters and utility workers, have already announced their participation in the strike. According to RTBF TV channel, city transport will not work, only one out of every three intercity trains and buses will carry out trips.
About 70% of the flights were cancelled. The Royal Police has advised to refrain from driving in Brussels, as heavy traffic jams are expected in the city. In addition, the city center will be closed for the protest, which, according to the trade unions, will be attended by 50,000 to 100,000 people. The demonstration was allowed by the city authorities.The reason for the protest action was the plans to reduce social allocations in the country's budget by 3 billion euros per year.
The programs were prepared by Bart De Vever, candidate for the prime minister, president of the right-wing radical party "New Flemish Alliance". In particular, he approves of increasing the country's military spending. In Belgium, since June 2024, when the parliamentary elections were held, negotiations on the formation of a ruling coalition and a new government have been going on with variable success. The outgoing cabinet of ministers led by Alexander De Cro, who lost in the elections, manages the country in the mode of "current affairs". his party took fifth place in the elections.
The process of forming the government in Belgium always drags on for many months. The record, 541 days, was set in 2020.
