As defence budgets grow, activists across Belgium unite to resist austerity and the expansion of the arms industry

Belgian governments always have curious names: the current one is called “Arizona” (we have previously had “Orange Bleue”, among others). But their policies are becoming less and less amusing.

From the moment it took office, the government announced a drastic austerity programme across many sectors. This austerity is being used to justify a considerable increase in the military budget. “Defence” is, in fact, the only sector benefiting from new funding – and the increase is massive. The fragility of many parts of society will only be exacerbated by cuts elsewhere.

Last year, dozens of organisations – ranging from large workers’ unions to small peace groups (from the far left to Christian organisations) – came together to form the Stop Militarisation Platform. DiEM25 Belgium was one of its founding members.

The Platform has recently published a brochure titled “Arizona: Extravagant Spending on the Military, Austerity on Everything Else”.

On Thursday 12 March, under a glorious spring sun, a massive demonstration filled the streets of Brussels. Around 100,000 people – not for the first time – protested against the government’s anti-social policies, which particularly affect the unemployed, the sick, retirees, and public sector workers.
Our group specifically highlighted the diversion of billions into military spending.

The Defence Minister, who is from the far right, appears eager at the mere prospect of war. Brussels even hosted its first weapons fair in March, called “Bedex”.

On Friday 13 March, under pouring rain, just a few dozen activists – soaked to the skin – demonstrated outside “Bedex”.
Yet, somewhat surprisingly, the press covered the protest extensively. XR activists had earlier dyed the pond in front of the fair blood red.

On Saturday 14 March, the Stop Militarisation Platform organised a symposium at the headquarters of one of the major workers’ unions, attended by more than 200 people.

Speakers included André Flahaut, former Belgian Minister of Defence; Andrew Feinstein, author of The Shadow World: Inside the Global Arms Trade; as well as representatives from Belgian and European trade unions and peace movements.

Workshops addressed key issues such as: Who benefits from European rearmament?, Young people confront militarisation, Militarisation will not save industry, and Palestine as a testing ground for militarisation.

Although we may sometimes feel powerless in the face of a rapidly expanding war machine, we should not forget that it has its own weaknesses and contradictions — and that we represent the interests of people across the world.

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