During the protests against cuts in French-language education, demonstrators set fire to objects near Brussels Central Station. More than 1,000 demonstrators had gathered in Brussels to protest against measures announced affecting French-language education.
Police use watercannon against Francophone demonstrators protesting education reforms (VIDEO)
Colin Clapson
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The atmosphere turned violent when some of those present set fire to bicycle racks and other objects in the middle of the road. Fireworks were also set off. The police and fire brigade attended the scene with the police using water cannon to disperse protesters. The police have also urged people to avoid the area of Brussels central station.
Public transport was also hit with no services running through the Koningsstraat and no services stopping at the Park metro station.
What are the demonstrators protesting against?
There has been unrest in Francophonia for weeks now over the cuts to French-language education. The aim is to save 300 million euros in this sector over the coming years.
Francophone Education Minister Valérie Glatigny (Francophone liberal MR) wants teachers in secondary schools to teach two extra hours a week from next year, without any corresponding pay rise for teachers.
She also wants to overhaul the system of permanent appointments. Employees who are already enjoy a permanent appointment and have lifetime career tenure in their job can retain this status, but new teachers would be hired on a contract basis from September 2027 onwards.
Teachers who have had to take a break due to serious illness will only be able to work part-time for two years after their return to the job. Currently, there is no such limit.
In addition, enrolment fees at universities or colleges are rising significantly to 1,200 euros a year. There will also be less investment in the renovation of old school buildings.
Today, the government of Belgium’s French-speaking Community intends to put the legislation containing these austerity measures to a vote in parliament using the fast-track procedure. However, the bill has not yet been approved by the Francophone parliament’s budget committee, as the French-speaking greens of Ecolo and the Communist Labour Party PTB have refused to endorse the rapporteur. Critics therefore call today’s vote undemocratic.
At one point demonstrators forced their way into the Francophone community parliament building setting off smoke bombs. Riot police intervened.
By 4PM demonstrator numbers started to thin out as protesters headed for comforts of home leaving behind a trail of devastation at the heart of the Belgian and Flemish capital.