Between 5,000 and 7,000 people demonstrated in central Brussels on Monday to protest against planned austerity measures affecting all sectors of the French-speaking community of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation from next year.
The protestors, including teachers, students, artists, and childcare workers, marched from Place du Luxembourg to the Federation’s government headquarters, stopping along the way at the offices of the political party Les Engagés, which was pelted with eggs.
Placards held by demonstrators bore slogans such as “Money for education, not militarisation,” “A state without culture = a fascist state,” and “Glatigny smiles, we suffer.”
The demonstration took place just 48 hours before the Federation’s parliament is set to vote on the final 2026 budget on Wednesday. Protestors addressed the MPs with a clear demand: “Do not approve this proposal!”
To address its persistent deficit, the MR and Les Engagés-led Federation government has planned cuts of €225 million starting next year, out of total annual expenditures amounting to approximately €15 billion.
