On the occasion of Labour Day, the Federal Government's plans have garnered both positive and negative attention from various Belgian political figures on Thursday. A march took place in Brussels to denounce the federal measures.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever's (N-VA) Government has been criticised over the last few months, particularly following a series of reforms announced in its 'Easter agreement' earlier in April. This week, thousands took to the streets in the country in a general strike to denounce plans including budget cuts, pension reforms and restricted social support.
Leader of the Flemish Greens (Groen) Bart Dhondt warned on Thursday that "even with socialists in government, workers' rights are under pressure." Dhondt affirmed his party is "forming a front" against the government's "divisive policies" and called for progressive forces to stand together in the fight for social justice.
The free festival organised by Belgian unions for the first of May, Labour Day, the International Workers' Day, Tuesday 01 April 2025, at Mont des Arts in Brussels.Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
Dhondt further underscored concern over the impact of the reforms. "May Day is more than ever a day of struggle. Especially for women who work part-time, for teachers and civil servants, for people who give up because work is becoming too difficult, and for all those who are seeing their pensions reduced," he added.
'Social destruction'
Similarly, Belgian Workers' Party (PTB-PVDA) leader, Raoul Hedebouw, expressed his dissatisfaction with the government. "'Arizona' is the government of the super-rich; we can make it back down," he said to communist activists gathered at Place Anneessens in Brussels.
The festival organised by Belgian unions for the first of May, Labour Day, the International Workers' Day, Tuesday 01 April 2025, at Mont des Arts in Brussels.Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
Hedebouw singled out the federal representation of the Flemish socialist party Vooruit. "Without Vooruit's votes, there would be no pension cuts, no persecution of the unemployed or the long-term sick, and no quibbling over the index. Vooruit is not slowing down social destruction: it is at the wheel."
The workers' party accused the federal coalition of lying to voters, claiming that a previous campaign promise of an extra €500 net for workers is not within the agreed federal budget. It further denounced the "ridiculously small" capital gain tax.
Hedebouw called for further mobilisation against the federal plans. "We must continue to mobilise. The social movement is currently in a phase where it can grow," he said.
'Courage to implement the reforms'
Opposing the criticism on Thursday was the leader of the Prime Minister's party, N-VA, Valerie Van Peel. "The parties that have the courage to implement the reforms that are needed today, alongside the N-VA, deserve your applause, not your boos," she said in a video posted online on Thursday. "It is so easy to hand out money. Doing what needs to be done is much less easy," she added.
N-VA's Valerie Van Peel pictured during a plenary session of the Chamber at the Federal Parliament in Brussels, on Monday 06 May 2024. Credit: Belga/Dirk Waem
Van Peel acknowledged the anger and concern of some regarding the government's decisions. However, she highlighted the need to face the country's "unprecedented budget crisis."
The N-VA leader further called for constructive collaboration, and "moving forward together, instead of being gratuitously opposed or putting people's own interests first through blackmail and endless actions," she said.
'High time to defend ourselves'
Some 300 people gathered at Place Poelaert in Brussels on Thursday afternoon to demonstrate against the "anti-social policies" of the 'Arizona' government. The demonstration was organised by the union General Central of Public Services (CGSP).
A demonstration of unions and collective Commune Colere in protest at the cuts of the Federal Government, on the first of May, Labour Day, the International Workers' Day, Thursday 01 May 2025, in Brussels. Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
At around 13:00, the demonstrators headed towards the offices of MR, Vooruit, the Federation of Enterprises in Belgium (FEB), and the General Federation of Belgian Labour (FGTB).
"We are increasingly aware that it is high time to defend ourselves and mobilise in large numbers against the type of society that right-wing and far-right factions are attempting to impose on us," stated the CGSP ALR Brussels, with support from FGTB Brussels, ACV-CSC Brussels, and the Commune Colère collective.
