Brussels: Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel was bombarded with French fries and squirted with mayonnaise today by ex-Femen activists angry at the governement's austerity plans.
"Michel get out, austerity get out," cried the four activists as the 38-year-old Premier was beginning a speech in the southern city of Namur, according to several media present.
The women, wearing masks, were swiftly tackled by security personnel as Michel looked on, smiling in a mayo-stained suit.
After the incident, he restarted his speech apologizing "that I smell of mayonnaise".
The young Premier, who took office in October, leads a coalition that intends to raise the retirement age in Belgium to 67, scrap plans for a usually automatic cost-of-living raise next year and introduce public sector cutbacks.
The plans sparked several rounds of strikes and demonstrations in the past weeks, including a march of more than 100,000 people in Brussels, which ended in violent protests that left dozens of police officers injured.
Food-related protests are a Belgian speciality.
In recent years, some of the world's most powerful leaders, including former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and billionaire Microsoft founder Bill Gates, have received a custard pie in the face while on visits to the country.
"Michel get out, austerity get out," cried the four activists as the 38-year-old Premier was beginning a speech in the southern city of Namur, according to several media present.
The women, wearing masks, were swiftly tackled by security personnel as Michel looked on, smiling in a mayo-stained suit.
The young Premier, who took office in October, leads a coalition that intends to raise the retirement age in Belgium to 67, scrap plans for a usually automatic cost-of-living raise next year and introduce public sector cutbacks.
The plans sparked several rounds of strikes and demonstrations in the past weeks, including a march of more than 100,000 people in Brussels, which ended in violent protests that left dozens of police officers injured.
Advertisement
In recent years, some of the world's most powerful leaders, including former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and billionaire Microsoft founder Bill Gates, have received a custard pie in the face while on visits to the country.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Can Mayonnaise Help Stabilise Nuclear Fusion? New Study Shows Surprising Results Spain Dump Defending Hockey Champions Belgium Out Of Paris Olympics India vs Belgium Highlights, Men's Hockey Paris Olympics 2024: India's Unbeaten Run Ends With Loss vs Belgium Indian Airports, Borders On Alert As Global Mpox Cases Rise: 10 Points Woman's Post "Men Will Rape Because..." Sparks Debate On Social Media "My Intention Was To...": Sudha Murty Clarifies Raksha Bandhan Post Nothing CEO Ends Work From Home, Suggests Leaving To Those Who Disagree Arunachal Makes Inner Line Permit Mandatory For Non-Residents UP Police Constable Exam Admit Card 2024 To Be Out Today, Check Details Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.