Nationwide protests against pension reforms paralyze Belgium, halting air traffic and disrupting services.
Belgium descended into chaos Thursday as a nationwide anti-government strike brought air travel to a standstill, with Brussels Airport canceling 430 flights. Thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets, rallying against the newly elected government’s controversial pension reforms. The protests, expected to last several days, also crippled public transport and postal services, while firefighters and military personnel joined the dissent.
At the heart of the outrage is Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s pension overhaul, which penalizes early retirees with less than 35 years of service while favoring those who work beyond retirement age. Critics argue the changes disproportionately impact lower-income workers, sparking a wave of anger that unions had warned would explode if socialist party Vooruit aligned with De Wever’s center-right coalition.
With the strike disrupting Belgium’s infrastructure and pressure mounting, the government now faces a critical test of its resolve. As discontent spreads, the possibility of wider unrest looms, challenging the fragile five-party coalition’s ability to govern effectively.
