---
title: "Anti-government protest halts air traffic in Belgium"
description: "BRUSSELS, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Thousands of Belgians took to the streets on Thursday in protest over the new government's planned pension reforms in the first day of a multi-day strike that halted all air traffic in the country."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Retirement"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-02-13-anti-government-protest-halts-air-traffic-in-belgium/"
published: "2025-02-13T13:00:08"
updated: "2025-02-13T13:00:10"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 179
---

# Anti-government protest halts air traffic in Belgium

> BRUSSELS, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Thousands of Belgians took to the streets on Thursday in protest over the new government's planned pension reforms in the first day of a multi-day strike that halted all air traffic in the country.

By Reuters · Published 13 February 2025, 15:00 SAST · Updated 13 February 2025, 15:00 SAST

## Key points
- In a dramatic display that turned Brussels airport into a no-fly zone, 430 flights were grounded as protesters rallied against pension reforms that seem to favor the marathon runners of the workforce over the sprinters, all while brandishing signs that suggest they’re not about to be squeezed like citrus.
- Brussels airport cancels 430 flights amid a one-day strike disrupting air traffic and public services.
- Protesters brandish signs like "We're not lemons," targeting Prime Minister Bart De Wever's Latin quotes.
- The pension reform penalizes early retirees without 35 years of service, disadvantaging lower-income workers.
- De Wever's five-party coalition government, sworn in after lengthy negotiations, faced union backlash over the reforms.

## Content

Brussels airport canceled 430 flights on Thursday, a spokesperson said, adding that the disruption to the air traffic sector would last just one day.

Protesters held signs with slogans such as "We're not lemons," and some displayed plaques featuring Latin phrases, a nod to new Prime Minister Bart De Wever's tendency to include Latin quotes whenever possible.

The strike was also expected to disrupt public transport and postal services, with firefighters and military personnel joining the protests as well.

The planned pension reform rewards those who work past retirement age with 35 years of service, while early retirees without 35 years face a penalty. The new system is less favorable for lower-income earners compared to the previous one, which provided a lump sum based on career length.

Flemish nationalist Bart De Wever's government was sworn in on Feb. 3, after eight months of negotiations that resulted in a five-party coalition including right-wing, centrist, and socialist party, Vooruit.

The socialist union had warned that a strike would be called if Vooruit joined the predominantly center-right government.

(Editing by Bernadette Baum)