The violence follows a nationwide strike and waves of unrest that began around Oct 9, disrupting airports and public transport. Students joined labor unions to oppose reforms in Belgium's French-speaking region that raised annual tuition fees from 835 euros to 1,194 euros, alongside grievances over welfare and health spending cuts. These demonstrations mirror similar unrest recently seen in France and Spain, and officials in Belgium reported 107 arrests in the city of Liège since the protests began.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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Belgian Police Use Force to Clear Brussels-Midi Station
World8 days ago
Riot police deployed water cannons and tear gas on Oct 12 to clear demonstrators from a key transit hub after austerity rallies turned into street battles. Security forces used batons to disperse crowds at the Brussels-Midi railway station during clashes involving groups of young protesters dressed in black. Tens of thousands of people have gathered across the Belgian capital in recent days to protest government spending cuts and the rising cost of living.
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