Belgium Strike Hits Public Services as Budget Talks Stall

Belgium's public sector was partially shut down on Monday as unions held a second day of nationwide strike action against planned government budget cuts, according to Reuters. The walkout disrupted key public services across the country, with rail services, public transport, public broadcasting and schools all affected.

No large-scale demonstration was planned in the capital on Monday, the report said. The strike followed an initial mass protest in Brussels on Friday, when thousands of demonstrators took to the streets and a small group clashed with police.

The industrial action comes as Prime Minister Bart De Wever faces growing political pressure over delayed budget negotiations. Over the weekend, the prime minister's office said coalition partners had failed to reach an agreement on a new federal budget, forcing De Wever to cancel a planned State of the Union address to parliament on Tuesday while talks continue.

De Wever said on Thursday that painful budget measures were needed now to avert a looming debt and interest-cost spiral that would otherwise leave future generations with a heavy bill. Belgian media reported that a budget deal could slip to late October or early November, and that a prolonged deadlock could put the coalition's cohesion under strain.

The Flemish right-wing leader has yet to secure the agreement needed to move forward, with negotiations still ongoing as public sector workers press their opposition to the proposed cuts.