Belgium Hit by Fifth General Strike Over Pension Reforms
Above: Protesters and union members gather for a demonstration in Brussels on June 25, 2025. Image copyright: James Arthur Gekiere/Belga/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-government narrative
Europe's pension crisis demands urgent reform as aging populations create unsustainable fiscal burdens. Belgium faces spiraling costs by 2050. Current systems are flawed — only around a quarter of Europeans have occupational pensions, while inflation erodes their savings. Belgium must embrace the necessary changes before it is too late.
Government-critical narrative
The government is dismantling social security while corporate profits soar and defense budgets balloon. Workers who planned their careers around existing pension promises now face reduced benefits and longer working years. This represents a betrayal of the social contract that built Belgium's prosperity.