Contemporary Security Challenges: Political Radicalization in Belgium
- alessia988
- 12 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Part 1: The left-wing dynamic*
In October 2025, Belgium experienced nationwide protests against proposed austerity measures by Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s government. While most demonstrations were peaceful, a subset of radical left-wing groups engaged in violent acts such as vandalism, clashes with police, and property damage. These events are part of a broader cycle of unrest, as major trade unions — ABVV/FGTB, ACV/CSC, and ACLVB/CGSLB — have already announced three additional strike days on 24, 25, and 26 November 2025. The upcoming strikes will successively involve railway workers, public-sector employees, and culminate in a nationwide general strike, targeting the government’s austerity and pension reforms. Authorities fear that these actions, coinciding with ongoing social tension, could once again attract radical groups and trigger new outbreaks of violence.
While the majority of the October demonstrations were organized by trade unions and remained largely peaceful, a subset of radical elements reportedly engaged in violent acts during the protests. Groups were observed among the protesters and initiated violent actions, including vandalizing buildings and clashing with police forces. For instance, near Pacheco Boulevard, a splinter group threw projectiles, paint bombs, and fireworks at a federal migration services building, causing damage and small fires. The Brussels public prosecutor’s office charged five individuals in connection with these incidents, including charges of criminal association and vandalism. Authorities noted that these individuals wore masks and blended into the larger crowd to avoid identification.
The unrest occurred amid widespread opposition to the government’s proposed reforms, which include raising the retirement age, freezing wage indexation, and reducing early retirement options. These measures have been criticized for potentially undermining Belgium’s social welfare system. While major unions led the protests, several political figures, such as Defense Minister Theo Francken, condemned the violent actions by radical elements, labeling them as “extreme left-wing Antifa thugs” and calling for stronger police responses. The involvement of radical left-wing groups in recent protests highlights the complex dynamics of Belgium’s current social and political landscape. While most demonstrators sought to express opposition peacefully, the actions of a small minority have raised concerns about possible escalation during future protests, including the planned November strikes.
The recent riots, particularly those on October 14, 2025, have been linked to several left-wing groups with a history of direct action and anti-capitalist activism. Members of Antifa reportedly participated in riots, engaging in acts of vandalism and clashes with police. Code Rood, a climate activist collective, staged a separate protest on October 11, 2025, blocking the entrance to a steel factory in Charleroi to protest alleged arms-related steel exports to Israel. Stop Arming Israel Belgium also joined the October 11 protest, emphasizing its opposition to Belgian arms exports to conflict zones. Authorities have since arrested individuals linked to the incidents and called for increased security measures during future demonstrations.
In drawing links between these recent events and the historic Cellules Communistes Combattantes (CCC), several ideological and tactical parallels emerge. The CCC, active in the early 1980s, carried out bombings targeting NATO, U.S., and Belgian institutions, motivated by anti-imperialist and anti-capitalist ideology. Both the CCC and modern radical left-wing groups share these ideological foundations and a willingness to use direct action. The protests against austerity, multinational corporations, and military support to Israel reflect similar opposition to perceived capitalism and imperialism. However, critical differences remain: the CCC was a clandestine terror organization capable of executing coordinated bombings, whereas today’s groups are loosely organized, relying on spontaneous violence within protest movements rather than premeditated terror campaigns. The CCC’s actions were strategically targeted at state and military symbols, while modern incidents primarily involve opportunistic vandalism of government and corporate property.
As of October 2025, there is no direct organizational link between the historic CCC and the radical groups active in Belgium today. Nonetheless, former CCC member Bertrand Sassoye remains an influential figure in the far-left scene, serving as an ideological reference point for some younger activists. He continues to advocate for revolutionary anti-capitalism and has participated in events and discussions that bridge generational divides within Belgium’s radical left. This connection underscores how historic extremist ideologies can persist through influence and discourse rather than organizational structure.
In parallel, Belgium faces a growing threat from right-wing extremism. The VSSE (State Security Service) currently monitors approximately 64 individuals linked to far-right radical networks, compared to 14 linked to left-wing extremism. Right-wing radicalization is increasingly taking place online, targeting youth through hate-based propaganda and nationalist narratives. Authorities are concerned that the simultaneous rise of both left- and right-wing extremism may result in ideological confrontations, particularly during major public demonstrations. This topic will be explored in part two of this series.
Predicted Future Security Issues
Belgium is likely to continue experiencing localized security incidents during large-scale protests, driven by radical left-wing groups. While coordinated terrorist activity remains unlikely, future risks include property damage, targeted direct actions, and street-level confrontations. The ideological influence of figures like Bertrand Sassoye could encourage more confrontational tactics among younger activists. Authorities should maintain enhanced monitoring of radical networks and prepare for potential escalation during the November 2025 strikes.
Separately, the Belgian government’s military deployment plans in Brussels, initiated by Defense Minister Theo Francken, are primarily focused on addressing drug-related violence rather than the recent protests. However, these deployments may indirectly strengthen the city’s preparedness for unrest.
Security Concerns at Zaventem and Charleroi Airports Amidst National Unrest
The nationwide general strike on October 14, 2025, led to significant disruptions at Belgium's major airports. At Brussels Airport in Zaventem, all departing flights were canceled due to a walkout by security staff, while Charleroi Airport, a hub for Ryanair, also ceased operations entirely. This widespread disruption affected approximately 120 flights, including around 72 between Belgium and the UK, impacting nearly 13,000 passengers.
These events underscore the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to labor actions and public unrest. The proximity of these airports to Brussels, where protests and riots have been concentrated, raises concerns about potential spillover effects. While there is no direct evidence linking the airport disruptions to the protests, the simultaneous occurrence highlights the interconnectedness of public sector labor actions and urban unrest.
Looking ahead, authorities may need to consider enhanced security measures at transportation hubs to mitigate the risk of further disruptions. This could include increased coordination between airport security, local law enforcement, and intelligence agencies to monitor and respond to potential threats stemming from the ongoing social unrest.
*This article is part one of a two-part series on radicalization and security within left- and right-wing leaning groups.
