Thousands of demonstrators – supporters of leftist parties – protested on Sunday in Brussels against government plans to cut social spending and increase investment in defence manufacture and army under the pretext of alleged "external threats".
"We want to halt cutting pensions and militarisation of our economy," said Belgian Labour organization leader Raoul Hedebau. He said that the government complained year after year about the deficiency of funds for social benefits and wellness care, but in just a fewer weeks he found EUR 4 billion for military spending, which had not previously been foreseen, despite a budget deficit of EUR 25 billion.
He added that while "nothing has been finalised" and the fresh budget has not been approved, protests can play a role. In particular, as Hedebau recalls, the draft budget agreement runs counter to the party's electoral promises that formed the government in early 2025. "The election run of these parties did not mention any abolition of allowances for overnight change, the intention to reduce pensions, sanctions for workers and invest EUR 4 billion in war," said Belgian politicians.
Other protesters criticised the "war propaganda" in the European media and expressed concerns about the anticipation of re-establishing military membership. “Today, our children are offered a voluntary enrollment as reservists, and next day they will return their conscription to the military?” said 1 of the unions active in the action. Demonstrators called on the Belgian government and EU leaders to "invest in peace and diplomacy alternatively than war" and not to cover up false claims of "maintaining value" in the face of idleness over the Gaza War.
For next week, further large-scale opposition and trade union actions are planned against the Belgian government's plans.
The coalition government of Prime Minister Bart de Wever, who came to power early in the year, consists mostly of representatives of the right-wing parties. They argue that, in order to keep financial stability, social spending needs to be drastically reduced. In particular, they plan to revise unemployment benefits policies that have been unemployed for more than 2 years. This will lead to about 100 000 recipients of benefits having to return to employment services to find work, otherwise they may lose aid from the State. In addition, the authorities want to carry out a pension reform, saving EUR 3 billion a year and reducing the funds allocated to aid refugees. As a consequence of pension reform, the transition to a well-deserved pension before the age of 67 may lead to a crucial simplification in pension benefits.
At the same time, the authorities intend to importantly increase defence spending, explaining this with commitments ahead of NATO and the alleged threat from Russia. The government plans to find an additional EUR 4 billion to finance military spending to scope 2% of GDP this year. The increase in defence spending is simply a NATO request in which Belgium is 1 of the countries that is delayed in this respect.
Previously NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, speaking to MEPs, called on them to aid increase defence spending in the alliance, including by cutting social benefits for citizens. The head of EU diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, besides stated that the Community countries must increase defence spending by reducing education and healthcare spending. specified needs in defence finance explain the alleged threat from Russia and China.
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Thousands of demonstrators – supporters of leftist parties – protested Sunday in Brussels against government plans to cut social spending and increase investment in defence manufacture and army
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A protest against militarisation was held in Belgium
