Belgium awoke to a standstill on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, as a national strike over a government savings plan brought the country’s airports and public transportation to a grinding halt. The latest in a string of protests since Bart De Wever’s ascension as prime minister, the strike underscores mounting tensions between the government and trade unions over a controversial package of budget reforms.
Brussels Airport, the nation’s busiest, was eerily quiet as all departures were canceled after security workers walked off the job, according to AFP. Charleroi Airport, a major European hub for low-cost carrier Ryanair, also announced it could not operate any flights due to a lack of staff. The disruptions didn’t stop at air travel—Brussels’ metro, tram, and bus services faced significant delays and cancellations, leaving many commuters stranded or scrambling for alternatives.
The cause of this widespread unrest? A government push to rein in a ballooning budget deficit that, as France 24 reports, now exceeds limits set by the European Union. With Brussels under pressure to comply with EU fiscal rules, the De Wever administration has proposed sweeping reforms: pension overhauls, cuts to early retirement, and a freeze on wage indexation. These measures, designed to save approximately 10 billion euros (about $12 billion), have sparked fierce opposition from organized labor.
Trade union CSC did not mince words in its criticism, declaring, “This government promised more sustainable jobs and increased purchasing power. Hot air! And once again, everyone is paying, except the rich.” The union’s call for protest was echoed across the country, with tens of thousands expected to descend on Brussels for a major demonstration on Wednesday, October 15.
The strike has left its mark on daily life in the Belgian capital. Police have advised citizens to avoid certain central areas and to consider traveling by car, anticipating congestion and possible confrontations. For many residents, the advice was cold comfort as they faced gridlocked roads and shuttered transit stations. The mood in Brussels, as captured by AFP, was one of frustration and uncertainty, with no clear end in sight.
This latest upheaval comes at a critical juncture for De Wever’s coalition government. On Monday, October 13, cabinet ministers failed to reach agreement on the national budget, forcing the prime minister to postpone a much-anticipated speech to parliament scheduled for the following day. The delay has only intensified scrutiny of De Wever’s leadership and the fragile unity of his coalition, which took shape after protracted negotiations following Belgium’s federal elections in June 2024.
Since taking office in February 2025, De Wever—a Flemish nationalist—has faced a series of strikes and protests, each one ratcheting up the pressure on his administration. The government insists that tough choices are necessary to restore fiscal discipline and secure Belgium’s standing within the European Union. Yet, for many workers, the reforms represent broken promises and a threat to hard-won social protections.
“The government is grappling with a budget deficit whose size violates European Union rules,” France 24 explained, highlighting the international dimensions of Belgium’s fiscal woes. The EU’s Stability and Growth Pact sets strict limits on member states’ deficits and debts, and Belgium’s persistent overspending has drawn warnings from Brussels and other EU capitals. Failure to act could trigger sanctions or increased borrowing costs, further complicating the government’s efforts to balance the books.
The proposed savings measures are wide-ranging. Pension reform is perhaps the most contentious, with plans to restrict early retirement options and raise the age at which workers can claim full benefits. The government also wants to freeze wage indexation, a system that automatically adjusts salaries to keep pace with inflation—a cherished safeguard for Belgian workers. Trade unions argue that these changes will hit ordinary families hardest, eroding living standards at a time when many are already struggling with rising costs.
“Trade unions have mounted strong opposition against planned reforms, including cutting early retirement and a wage indexation freeze,” AFP noted. The unions’ stance has found support among a broad swath of the public, especially in the wake of pandemic-related economic disruptions and growing concern over inequality. The CSC’s rallying cry—that the burden of austerity falls on everyone except the wealthy—has resonated with many Belgians who feel left behind by global economic trends.
Yet, the government insists that its hands are tied. With a deficit that flouts EU norms and mounting pressure from international partners, De Wever’s cabinet maintains that savings must be found somewhere. In addition to domestic reforms, Belgium has pledged to ramp up defense spending as part of a NATO-led push to boost rearmament, adding another layer of complexity to the budget negotiations. As France 24 puts it, “Brussels—long a laggard—has also pledged to ramp up spending on defence as part of a NATO push to boost rearmament.”
The stakes could hardly be higher. Failure to reach a deal on the budget not only risks further strikes and social unrest but could also imperil Belgium’s credit rating and its relationship with European and transatlantic allies. For De Wever, who came to power promising stability and reform, the challenge is formidable: how to restore fiscal order without provoking a full-blown political crisis.
Observers say the coming days will be decisive. Tens of thousands are expected to rally in Brussels on Wednesday, and union leaders have vowed to keep up the pressure until the government backs down or offers meaningful concessions. Meanwhile, the prime minister’s postponed speech looms large—a symbol of the uncertainty gripping Belgian politics.
As the country braces for further disruptions, citizens and policymakers alike are left to ponder the path forward. Can Belgium find a way to reconcile fiscal discipline with social justice? Or will the standoff deepen, with strikes and protests becoming the new normal? For now, at least, the only certainty is upheaval—a nation at a crossroads, its future hanging in the balance.
