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100,000 protest in Belgium against free-market measures

BRUSSELS (AP) - Belgian trade unions on Wednesday mobilized about 100,000 workers for the second time in a year to protest the free-market regulations and austerity measures that the center-right government has been pushing through during its first year in office.

And just like in November, the end of the demonstration in Brussels was marred by violence when a few hundred people confronted police and pelted them with rocks and bottles before authorities drove them back with tear gas and water cannons. Police said 25 people were arrested.

Police said more than 80,000 people joined Wednesday's protest while trade union claimed 100,000 took part, just 20,000 short of last year's demonstrations.

Belgium's three main unions joined Wednesday behind a common platform, arguing that the government of Prime Minister Charles Michel is promoting big companies at the expense of the workforce.

The unions specifically complain about a freezing of the link between inflation and wages, an increase of the retirement age, cuts in social services and tax measures that they claim unfairly benefit employers.

A demonstrator is sprayed by a police water cannon during a trade union demonstration in Brussels on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015. Tens of thousands demonstrated against austerity measures the government has been pushing though its first year in office. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo) The Associated Press
Demonstrators throw rocks at police during a trade union demonstration in Brussels on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015. Tens of thousands demonstrated against austerity measures the government has been pushing though its first year in office. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo) The Associated Press
A demonstrator throws a rock toward a police line during a trade union demonstration in Brussels on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015. Tens of thousands demonstrated against austerity measures the government has pushing though during its first year in office. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo) The Associated Press
A demonstrator is sprayed by a police water cannon during a trade union demonstration in Brussels on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015. Tens of thousands demonstrated against austerity measures the government has been pushing though its first year in office. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo) The Associated Press
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