Police and protesters clash in Brussels during anti-austerity rally

On Friday, October 9, clashes between police and protesters took place in Brussels. Tens of thousands of people protested in the Belgian capital against the increase in the cost of living and measures to tighten the budget introduced by the government.

Dozens of protesters, many of them young men dressed in black clothes and masks, pelted police with stones and firecrackers at Brussels' central train station and then set fire to several city bikes and electric scooters.

“In response, the police used tear gas, water cannons and batons, pushing the protesters from the territory,” the article says.

Police said those "who created problems with public order were not connected to the anti-austerity rally," which they said drew about 30,000 people. Organizers said 50,000 people attended the rally.

Clashes have also occurred in the city of Liege, where authorities have banned public gatherings after students clashed with police in the past, during which the first damaged shops. More than 200 people were arrested in Liege and dozens of police officers were injured.

Trade union movements had hoped to attract tens of thousands to Brussels as the Belgian government tries to finalise work on next year's budget.

"Belgium, like its neighbors France and Italy, is mired in public debt," the agency wrote.