Anti-austerity protesters battle police in Brussels



BRUSSELS: -- Police and anti-austerity protesters have engaged in running battles in the Belgian capital Brussels.

Tens of thousands took to the streets as part of a national day of protest against the policies of Prime Minister Charles Michel.

Marc Goblet is from the FGTB trade union:“As it is the first anniversary of the government, we want to protest against all the measures t taken against working people, while protecting the rich.It is unfair.”

The protests crossed Belgium’s linguistic divide.

“I am an adviser to the those out of work.Everyday I see the problems and the costs they face. Everyday things get more difficult,” said one demonstrator.

Cuts in social services, and the raising of the retirement age are just two in a raft of government policies the unions oppose.


-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2015-10-08

This is part of the current stupidity in Europe where anti-austerity movements and protests are common as govt'so plead poverty and austerity is a Must.

On the other hand there seems to be funds available to welcome tens of thousands of migrants.

Get ready for a lot more of similar news.

People are getting fed up with the way our governments waste our tax money. Unfortunately we have only seen a glimpse yet of what the government has in store.

Nothing like a cut in welfare benefits to get these lazy sods off the couche and into the streets. Now if they only put as much energy into obtaining employment skills and a job.

Nothing like a cut in welfare benefits to get these lazy sods off the couche and into the streets. Now if they only put as much energy into obtaining employment skills and a job.

Yeah lots of jobs available with large companies laying off workforce as if there is no tomorrow.

Nothing like a cut in welfare benefits to get these lazy sods off the couche and into the streets. Now if they only put as much energy into obtaining employment skills and a job.

For once i agree with you

Nothing like a cut in welfare benefits to get these lazy sods off the couche and into the streets. Now if they only put as much energy into obtaining employment skills and a job.

100 000 demonstrators, nothing to do with cuts in welfare benefits, what makes you believe that?

Nothing like a cut in welfare benefits to get these lazy sods off the couche and into the streets. Now if they only put as much energy into obtaining employment skills and a job.

100 000 demonstrators, nothing to do with cuts in welfare benefits, it's about taxes

Nothing like a cut in welfare benefits to get these lazy sods off the couche and into the streets. Now if they only put as much energy into obtaining employment skills and a job.

Yeah lots of jobs available with large companies laying off workforce as if there is no tomorrow.

That's what happens when you price your labour too high and only wanna work 35 hours a week...nobody wants to hire you.

Nothing like a cut in welfare benefits to get these lazy sods off the couche and into the streets. Now if they only put as much energy into obtaining employment skills and a job.

For once i agree with you

Yes we already saw that in that you 'liked' each other's posts

After the demo I think I would retire to a central cafe for some moules, frites and mayonnaise together with a nice bottle of Leffe beer.

This is part of the current stupidity in Europe where anti-austerity movements and protests are common as govt'so plead poverty and austerity is a Must.

On the other hand there seems to be funds available to welcome tens of thousands of migrants.

Both go together well. Its easier to force austerity with a reserve of immigrant labour force.

This is part of the current stupidity in Europe where anti-austerity movements and protests are common as govt'so plead poverty and austerity is a Must.

On the other hand there seems to be funds available to welcome tens of thousands of migrants.

Both go together well. Its easier to force austerity with a reserve of immigrant labour force.

The suggestion that higher cost local labour (with no edge in productivity) in an internationally competitive market is somehow progressive would be nonsense.

I wonder what "austerity" is like in Brussels...does it mean one has to cut down the Starbucks run from three times a day to two?

It looks from this protest and the one in Berlin the other day that European people are waking up, and it isn't to the smell of coffee, which is about time.

Strap on the seatbelts, because we are in for a very rough ride.