“What they are asking for is contradictory”

The three unions are holding a national demonstration in Brussels. They are marching from Brussels North Station to Brussels South Station. In protest at what they describe as "the Federal Government’s anti-social policies".

"Of course I respect the right to strike and demonstrate. I have taken the time to read the leaflets handed out by the unions. I read that they are against the pension reforms, the one off non-index-linking of salaries and cuts, but at the same time ask to keep the social security system as it is. This is a fundamental contradiction.”

Mr Van Overtveldt reiterated his and the Federal Government’s view that “We definitely want to maintain the social security system, but we can’t without reforms and savings. I think that it is a shame that the unions are presenting things in this way, because in reality things are different.