Violent Protests Erupt in Brussels Over Education Cuts
In a dramatic turn of events, Brussels transformed into a scene of chaos as protests against education cuts erupted into clashes with police on Thursday afternoon. Fires, fireworks, and clouds of tear gas filled the air as thousands of students and teachers took to the streets, responding to calls from trade unions to strike.
Students began gathering near the parliament of the Federation of Wallonia and Bruxelles (FWB) around midday, where discussions on proposed reforms were taking place. The protests soon escalated as demonstrators made their way towards Brussels Central Station. Reports indicated that the police, equipped in riot gear, set up barriers near the station, with fire engines and police vehicles on standby.
By around 4:15 p.m., the police deployed tear gas and water cannons in an effort to disperse the crowds. As evening approached, the number of demonstrators had significantly decreased, dwindling to just a few hundred people.
According to various reports, approximately 22% of Brussels’ residents have a Belgian background, with a significantly higher percentage in the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders. Around 2,000 protesters had convened near the station, with more arriving from different areas within Wallonia. The commotion had started earlier in the day when disturbances were noted at Anderlecht’s San Guido metro station, where some individuals defaced property.
The unrest stemmed from proposed austerity measures by the FWB government, which include raising annual tuition fees for higher education by 35%, from 835 euros to 1,194 euros. Additionally, teachers in upper secondary education would need to undertake two additional hours of instruction each week without extra pay.
Critics have voiced concerns regarding the process behind these changes. The French Community government attempted to fast-track the bill for voting, despite lacking the necessary approval from the budget committee of the French-speaking parliament. Opposition parties, including the Ecolo Green Party and the Communist Party PTB, claimed that the rapid movement of the bill was undemocratic. The initiative is intended to save 300 million euros across the educational sector and would alter the employment status of new teachers starting in September 2027, shifting them to contract-based positions.
