Brussels sees around 30,000 march against austerity before VAT rise

Rio Times' Europe Intelligence Brief for 10 October 2026 reported that roughly 30,000 demonstrators marched through Brussels against planned austerity measures, days before the Belgian government was due to present its budget on 13 October. The coalition behind the protest united railway workers, teachers and civil servants, who converged on the EU district to oppose a proposed increase in the standard value-added tax rate from 21% to 22%, as well as public sector wage freezes and welfare cuts. Organisers framed the walk as the biggest social mobilisation of the year, timed to pressure finance ministers before parliament debates the package. The protest coincided with wider European market relief as the STOXX 600 rose 0.97% to 631.55 on the day, highlighting the gap between buoyant equity markets and street-level anger over the cost of living. Belgian unions warned of further strike action if the VAT rise and spending cuts remained in the final budget blueprint.