Police and protesters clash in Brussels on sidelines of union march against austerity

Police and a smaller group of protesters clashed in Brussels on Friday, 9 October 2026. The clashes took place on the sidelines of a trade union demonstration against the Belgian federal government's planned austerity measures. Thousands of people took part in the march.

Police used tear gas and water cannon. Protesters involved in the clashes threw objects at officers. Deutsche Welle (DW) cites rocks and other projectiles. Al Jazeera, citing The Belgian Times, cites wooden beams, glass bottles and rubbish bins. Fires were set during the unrest.

The march was part of a series of union protests against the planned measures. It followed a week of tension in Liege. Authorities there banned public gatherings after students clashed with police and vandalised shops. More than 200 people were arrested and dozens of police officers were injured, according to DW and Al Jazeera.

According to DW, an AFP reporter saw two buses attacked after their passengers were evacuated. Windows were smashed and seats ripped out. DW also reported that youths set fire to rubbish bins, rental bikes and scooters. Citing Reuters, DW said firefighters put out several fires, including on buses. Al Jazeera reported that riot police also used baton charges near Brussels Central station.

In a preliminary update, police said about 20 people had been arrested, most of them minors, according to DW. The reports do not include injury figures for Brussels or any response from the government.

According to Al Jazeera, the march was organised by the ABVV and the Christian ACV, Belgium's two largest unions. It ran from Brussels Central to Brussels South station under the slogan "stay out of our pockets". Al Jazeera said the measures concern purchasing power, wage indexation, value-added tax (VAT) and plans for annualised working time. DW reported that Prime Minister Bart De Wever's government, which it describes as center-right, aims to find €10 billion ($11.2 billion) in savings by 2029.

What is disputed

Turnout figures differ. Al Jazeera cited police as estimating about 30,000 and the ABVV as giving an earlier estimate of 50,000. DW gave a range of 30,000 to 50,000 without attribution.

What each side says

Police said the main march went ahead peacefully. DW quoted a police statement: "Several hundred youths gathered along with the demonstrators," adding: "The atmosphere gradually became more tense and there were serious disturbances to public order." Al Jazeera quoted police as saying "groups of troublemakers were responsible for serious incidents before and after the march."

Union head Bert Engelaar wrote on Facebook, according to DW: "Those individuals have nothing to do with the message with which thousands of others come out on the streets." The reports do not specify his union. Unions say the government should raise taxes on the highest earners instead of cutting areas such as health and raising VAT, DW reported.

Al Jazeera correspondent Rosie Birchard said some young protesters cited school protests in France as inspiration and wanted to raise concerns about their education. She noted that the day was still early, so later events may not be covered.

Analysis

The events place two separate issues side by side: an organised union campaign over austerity, and street unrest that police and union leaders say is not linked to the march. How authorities and the public interpret that distinction may shape the wider debate. If the unrest continues, it could draw attention away from the unions' policy demands, or it could increase pressure on the government to respond. The government's reaction is not described in the reports. Its approach to the €10 billion savings target, and whether any dialogue with unions follows, remain open questions. Final arrest and injury figures may also change the picture.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.