Belgian unions issue 'first warning' with Brussels protest as budget talks stall

Belgian unions CSC and FGTB are staging a new protest in Brussels on Friday, October 9, as federal budget negotiations continue and PM Bart De Wever prepares his general policy statement for October 13. The action follows a May 12 protest that drew 40,000–75,000 attendees, signaling sustained labor opposition to austerity measures. The outcome of budget talks and the scale of Friday's turnout will indicate the strength of union resistance.