A large demonstration over education reforms turned chaotic in Brussels on Thursday, with clashes breaking out in and around the city centre as police moved in to disperse crowds. Teachers took up the protests earlier in the week over cuts to education, with students joining them on Thursday.
"I can understand that the teachers are angry, that they are worried, and that they have questions. But this is unreasonable. They must return to the classroom and stop inciting the youth, including on the basis of disinformation," said Georges-Louis Bouchez, chairman of the centre-right Reformist Movement party.
The demonstration started out as a coordinated protest against austerity measures targeting French-language education, but things escalated by early afternoon near Brussels Central Station, where parts of the area were later cordoned off and traffic disrupted, according to Belgia News Agency.
Teachers responded to a strike call from trade unions and thousands of students took part in the march. The demonstration was aimed at reforms introduced by the French Community of Belgium (Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, FWB), which is preparing a major spending reduction package affecting the education sector.
At around midday, crowds gathered near the FWB Parliament while lawmakers debated the proposed legislation. From there, groups of protesters moved toward Brussels-Central station, where tensions rose sharply.
Objects were set alight on roads near the station, including bicycle racks and other debris, while fireworks and firecrackers were set off during the unrest. Police in riot gear formed cordons around the area, with Belga News Agency reporting roughly 15 police vans, a fire engine, and a helicopter overhead.
The Federal Police confirmed multiple incidents across the city, “but mainly in the city centre”, and said several metro stations experienced disruption. Earlier in the day, disturbances were also reported at Saint-Guido metro station in Anderlecht, where fences were thrown onto tracks and fire extinguishers were discharged on platforms.
Around 16:15, police moved in on Rue des Colonies near the FWB Parliament to disperse remaining groups of demonstrators. Tear gas and water cannon were deployed, according to Belga reports.
By early evening, the protest had largely broken up, though several hundred people were still present in the area around 18:00.
At Brussels Central Station, authorities restricted access during the unrest, leaving only limited entry points open. Fire services were placed on standby nearby, although an attempt to respond to a fire at the Carrefour de l'Europe was reportedly blocked by demonstrators.
Estimates of turnout varied, with reports from VRT NWS putting the number of participants at around 2,000, with the possibility of further arrivals from other parts of Belgium throughout the day.
The protest comes as the French Community government moves ahead with a budget plan requiring roughly €300 million in savings across education, which makes up the majority of its spending. The proposed reforms include higher tuition fees in higher education, cuts to school supplies, increased teaching hours for some secondary school teachers, and the end of permanent appointments in the sector.
A parliamentary vote on the package was scheduled for Thursday afternoon as the demonstrations unfolded outside.
"I can understand that the teachers are angry, that they are worried, and that they have questions. But this is unreasonable. They must return to the classroom and stop inciting the youth, including on the basis of disinformation," said Georges-Louis Bouchez, chairman of the centre-right Reformist Movement party.
The demonstration started out as a coordinated protest against austerity measures targeting French-language education, but things escalated by early afternoon near Brussels Central Station, where parts of the area were later cordoned off and traffic disrupted, according to Belgia News Agency.
Teachers responded to a strike call from trade unions and thousands of students took part in the march. The demonstration was aimed at reforms introduced by the French Community of Belgium (Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, FWB), which is preparing a major spending reduction package affecting the education sector.
At around midday, crowds gathered near the FWB Parliament while lawmakers debated the proposed legislation. From there, groups of protesters moved toward Brussels-Central station, where tensions rose sharply.
Objects were set alight on roads near the station, including bicycle racks and other debris, while fireworks and firecrackers were set off during the unrest. Police in riot gear formed cordons around the area, with Belga News Agency reporting roughly 15 police vans, a fire engine, and a helicopter overhead.
The Federal Police confirmed multiple incidents across the city, “but mainly in the city centre”, and said several metro stations experienced disruption. Earlier in the day, disturbances were also reported at Saint-Guido metro station in Anderlecht, where fences were thrown onto tracks and fire extinguishers were discharged on platforms.
Around 16:15, police moved in on Rue des Colonies near the FWB Parliament to disperse remaining groups of demonstrators. Tear gas and water cannon were deployed, according to Belga reports.
By early evening, the protest had largely broken up, though several hundred people were still present in the area around 18:00.
At Brussels Central Station, authorities restricted access during the unrest, leaving only limited entry points open. Fire services were placed on standby nearby, although an attempt to respond to a fire at the Carrefour de l'Europe was reportedly blocked by demonstrators.
Estimates of turnout varied, with reports from VRT NWS putting the number of participants at around 2,000, with the possibility of further arrivals from other parts of Belgium throughout the day.
The protest comes as the French Community government moves ahead with a budget plan requiring roughly €300 million in savings across education, which makes up the majority of its spending. The proposed reforms include higher tuition fees in higher education, cuts to school supplies, increased teaching hours for some secondary school teachers, and the end of permanent appointments in the sector.
A parliamentary vote on the package was scheduled for Thursday afternoon as the demonstrations unfolded outside.
