Travel disrupted across Belgium as general strike against proposed public spending cuts continues

A national general strike in Belgium has severely disrupted transport and public services across the country, while police reported several arrests after vandalism, arson and clashes with protesters in Brussels on Tuesday morning.

The strike, which is led by the country's main trade unions, is in opposition to planned public spending cuts by Flemish nationalist Bart De Wever's coalition government.

There have been several strikes in Belgium since De Wever took office in February as the head of a mainly right-wing coalition that has proposed pension and labour market reforms.

This latest strike has resulted in severe delays and cancellations of services affecting tens of thousands of travellers across the country.

All departing flights have been grounded at Brussels South Charleroi Airport and Brussels Airport in Zaventem, while all arriving flights at Charleroi have been cancelled.

The majority of metro, bus and tram lines were not running in Brussels as a protest march moved through the capital, according to local media reports.

Disruptions to public services such as rubbish collection were announced ahead of the strike.

Strikes were also taking place in all Belgian prisons on Tuesday. Police officers have been called in to ensure security and basic needs are met, while the Red Cross is helping to distribute meals to prisoners, the Brussels Times reported.

Belgian police reported arrests after small fires were started near the small Brussels ring road.

Riot police also had to intervene during demonstrations in the city centre, as some masked protesters clashed with the authorities.

Several people were injured and treated at the scene, and several of the participants were arrested, according to local media.

The protests are expected to ramp up pressure on De Wever's coalition government, which on Monday failed to reach a budget agreement, prompting the prime minister to delay a key parliamentary address originally planned for Tuesday.

Belgium's budget deficit stood at 4.5% at the end of 2024, while its debt totals more than 100% of its GDP. This breaches EU rules, which says member states should keep their budget deficit below 3% and debt ratio at under 60% of GDP.