Tens of thousands took to the streets of the Belgian capital, demanding the government abandon austerity plans
Brussels police have used tear gas and water cannons to disperse mass protests against government-proposed social welfare cuts.
Belgium’s three biggest unions organized the demonstration and called a general strike on Tuesday, in opposition to Prime Minister Bart de Wever’s proposed measures to raise the pension age and cut social benefits.
The protest organizers told local media that up to 120,000 people took to the streets, while police estimated the number at 80,000.
Footage of the demonstration shows protesters clashing with law enfocement, throwing fireworks and waving flags and placards.
Police in full riot gear could be seen using tear gas grenades and deploying water cannons against the crowd.
Gert Truyens, president of the CGSLB union, said that the protest had to be cut short after a violent minority among the demonstrators clashed with the police, according to HLN.
”These aren’t protesters, but people running amok,” the newspaper cited him as saying.
Over the course of the day, the general strike seriously affected public transport services and froze departures at Brussels’ largest airport.
De Wever, who was elected in February, has proposed austerity measures to tackle the country’s ballooning budget deficit.
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