BRUSSELS, Dec 19 (KUNA) -- An estimated 25,000 people participated in a demonstration in Brussels Tuesday to protest against the government's pension reforms.
The country's three main trades unions had called for the demonstration to express their disagreement with measures implemented by the government, like the raising of the legal retirement age, and points-based pensions.
The Socialist, Christian and Liberal federations that organised today's march want, "a transparent and predictable pension system".
The demonstration disrupted the flow of traffic in the centre of the Belgian capital.
On his part, Belgian Prime Minister Premier Charles Michel accused the trade unions of spreading "lies" and "fake news" about his government's pension reforms.
Michel said in a statement that "we will make greater efforts to explain to people what the reforms entail." "We are reforming the economy, but a strong economy is not our ultimate goal. The reforms provide certainty that we won't descend into general impoverishment," he added. (end) nk.gta