Thousands protest in Brussels against budget cuts by French Community
Between 5,000 and 7,000 people demonstrated in Brussels on Monday in protest against planned austerity measures by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation government.
Teachers, students, artists and childcare workers marched from Place du Luxembourg to the headquarters of the government of the French Community of Belgium, accompanied by the sound of firecrackers and whistles.
Protesters carried banners bearing slogans such as "A state without culture = a fascist state". The march also stopped outside the headquarters of the Les Engagés party, which was pelted with eggs.
To curb its deficit, the community government has planned a series of across-the-board budget cuts worth 225 million euros from next year, out of total expenditure of 15 billion euros.
Breaking election promises
“The government has decided to end the indexation of our subsidies," said Clara Thomine, a visual artist who joined the protest. "In the visual arts sector, this will result in half of all organisations disappearing over the next four years."
The final adoption of these cuts is scheduled for Wednesday in a plenary session of the Federation's parliament. The demonstration aimed to put pressure on MPs to vote against the budget.
Several banners and chants specifically targeted the centrist party MR, accusing it of breaking its election promises.
Two-tier education system
Many teachers also turned out to protest against deteriorating working conditions and decisions that they believe will lead to a two-tier education system.
"Only children from wealthy families will be able to go on school trips"
"The government has decided to halve the resources for differentiated teaching, meaning for schools like mine with socio-economically disadvantaged pupils," said Maud, who has taught French in Brussels for almost 30 years. "From now on, only children from wealthy families will be able to go on school trips."
A delegation of protesters was received by the government. The demonstration, which had caused disruption to traffic around Rue de la Loi and the city's inner ring road, ended at around 12:30 with no incidents.
© BELGA VIDEO JEROME FETU / BELGA PHOTO EDRIC RORIVE
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