Brussels shopkeepers board up storefronts ahead of far-left protests
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Shopkeepers in Brussels have taken proactive measures, barricading and boarding up their stores in anticipation of potential protests, following calls from extreme left-wing groups. This action marks an escalation from previous fears of weekend looting, reflecting a heightened sense of concern among businesses in the capital.
In the political arena, federal budget negotiations continue to face challenges. Conner Rousseau, leader of the Vooruit party, a member of the governing coalition, has openly expressed his disappointment with Prime Minister Bart De Wever regarding the budget talks, suggesting that a constructive approach has not yielded goodwill. Meanwhile, an analysis of Minister of Defence and Foreign Trade Theo Francken's social media activity highlights his provocative approach.
Other domestic developments include concerns voiced by young people in Schaerbeek, who have likened Brussels to Marseille, and the financial difficulties faced by Flemish individuals struggling with expensive nursing home bills, with one person considering disinheritance to avoid costs being recovered by the public welfare system. Additionally, train traffic between Ottignies and Brussels-Luxembourg is suspended for an extended period due to the RER project, and Belgium is set to switch to winter time during the night of October 24th to 25th.