Overview
- A national strike called by Belgium’s two largest unions drew about 30,000 people to Brussels on Friday and included large, mostly peaceful union marches joined by hundreds of high-school students.
- A smaller cohort of masked youths clashed with police near Brussels Central and Gare du Midi by throwing stones, setting fires to rental bikes and rubbish, and attacking public property, prompting water cannon, tear gas and baton charges.
- Police said 21 people were detained in Brussels, including 13 minors, though some outlets published higher and disputed arrest totals that have not been independently verified.
- The walkout disrupted public transport, flights, schools and childcare services across the capital and followed violent confrontations in Liège earlier in the week that led to roughly 200 arrests and wounded officers.
- Union leaders publicly distanced their action from the rioters and pressed the government to raise taxes on top earners instead of cutting health and education, increasing the political stakes as ministers negotiate a budget by October 13.