Youths clash with police at Brussels-Midi station, fires set and cars damaged
Several hundred young people clashed with police near Brussels' Gare du Midi on Monday, 12 October, lighting a bonfire, throwing fireworks and damaging vehicles. Officers responded with tear gas and a water cannon as the youth mobilisation over education cuts continued.
Clashes near Gare du Midi
Several hundred young people gathered on the esplanade de l'Europe in front of the Gare du Midi, Brussels' main station, on Monday, 12 October, during a public-sector strike. According to ANSA, some lit a bonfire a few steps from the station entrance while others threw fireworks at police, who responded with tear gas to disperse the crowd. De Standaard reported that around midday several groups damaged vehicles at Brussels-Midi, set one car on fire and also set shared e-scooters and bicycles alight, followed by a cat-and-mouse game with police. Police used a water cannon and tear gas, and De Standaard said it was unclear for the time being whether anyone had been arrested. Le Soir, citing Het Laatste Nieuws, reported a fire close to the station, several damaged cars and visible smoke.
- Union demonstration in Brussels draws more than 30,000 people, per De Standaard, while many young people protest education savings
- Police check and search young people at Brussels-Central and stop an unauthorised gathering at Gare Centrale
- Groups damage vehicles and set a car, e-scooters and bicycles alight near Brussels-Midi; police use water cannon and tear gas
Strike day and police deployment
The gathering coincided with a strike in the public services called by the socialist union ACOD, while a school protest had also been called, according to De Standaard. The appeal to take to the streets had circulated on social media in the days before, according to ANSA. Early on Monday, a spontaneous and unauthorised gathering in front of the Gare Centrale was stopped by police. De Standaard reported that Brussels police were visibly present at Brussels-Central from the morning, checking and searching several young people, and that the situation there was calm. Le Soir, citing BX1, reported a large police presence at Gare Centrale and preventive checks around the station to prevent further disorder.
Protests over education savings
The unrest follows a week of demonstrations across Belgium, mainly in education. De Standaard reported that a union demonstration in Brussels on Friday, 9 October drew more than 30,000 people. Many young people also took to the streets that day to protest savings in French-speaking education. While the union march passed off calmly, confrontations broke out between young rioters and police, according to De Standaard.
Political reaction in parliament
In the plenary session of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation parliament in the week of 5 October, the youth mobilisation caused heated exchanges, according to 7sur7. Deputies from the opposition PS, PTB and Ecolo criticised the measures that had fuelled discontent and the government's response. Christie Morreale of the PS, a former minister, accused the government of breaking its September promise to return to dialogue.
Your measures are perceived by our young people as unjust and violent.
Amandine Pavet of the PTB said it was logical that young people had taken to the streets and contrasted cuts in education and public transport with spending on defence.
You tell them there is no money for their education, for public transport... but you splash billions on a future of war and violence!
Barbara Trachte of Ecolo described the government's answer as condescending and said that despising young people was counterproductive. Within the majority, Diana Nikolic of the MR condemned the violence while calling for the choice of pupils who want to attend class to be respected. Sophie Fafchamps of Engagés also condemned the violence but urged that the protest not be reduced to youth excesses, saying their worries about the future are real.
