Brussels: Rioters clash with police at anti-austerity rally

Hundreds of protesters clashed with police in the Belgian capital on Friday during an anti-austerity march organized by trade unions.

Masked protesters dressed in black threw rocks and other projectiles at police in Brussels. Anti-police slogans echoed through the streets, and similar graffiti covered nearby walls.

An AFP reporter witnessed two buses being attacked after the passengers were evacuated. The rioters smashed the windows and ripped out the seats. Meanwhile, youths set fire to trash cans, rental bikes, and scooters.

According to Reuters, firefighters extinguished several fires, including those on buses.

How did police respond to protests in Brussels?

The police said officers used water cannons and tear gas after young people on the outskirts of the protest targeted them with sticks and bottles.

"Several hundred youths gathered along with the demonstrators," police said in a statement. "The atmosphere gradually became more tense and there were serious disturbances to public order."

In a preliminary update, the police said they had arrested approximately 20 people, mostly minors.

Police also said the main trade union march had gone ahead peacefully. Before the rally, union head Bert Engelaar called on rioters to stay away from the protest.

"Those individuals have nothing to do with the message with which thousands of others come out on the streets," Engelaar wrote on Facebook.

What are the government's goals?

Chaotic scenes of violence occurred during a demonstration in which between 30,000 and 50,000 people participated. It was one of many nationwide union protests against planned austerity measures.

Belgium is burdened by substantial public debt and a persistent budget deficit. Led by Prime Minister Bart De Wever, the center-right government aims to find €10 billion ($11.2 billion) in savings by the end of its term in 2029.

Rather than imposing cuts in areas like health and hiking VAT, trade unions are pushing for the government to increase taxes on the highest earners.

The clashes in Brussels came after a week of tension in Liege, where authorities banned public gatherings after students clashed with police and vandalized shops. Over 200 people were arrested in Liege, and dozens of police officers were injured.

Edited by: Sean Sinico

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