Audi factory closure threat ignites massive protest in Brussels

The threat of closing a nearby Audi factory has sparked a massive protest by European automotive industry workers. On September 16, more than 5,000 people marched through the streets of Brussels.

Potential plans to close the Belgian Audi factory came to light in July 2024. Although final decisions have yet to be made, the threat of closing the plant producing the electric Q8 e-tron appears increasingly serious. Audi employees and other industry representatives decided to take to the streets in protest.

Over 5,000 people participated in the protest organized on September 16. According to Bloomberg, more than half of the protesters are associated with Audi. The others joined in solidarity to express concern about the situation in the European automotive industry.

"We also want to send a strong signal to European authorities, which are making things harder for Belgian industry, but also for European industry. The manufacturing industry is mainly migrating away from our countries," said Patrick Van Belle, the chief union representative at Audi.

Protesters carried banners expressing opposition to the influx of Chinese manufacturers into Europe and the EU's climate policy. The Brussels Audi factory, which is under threat of closure, is just one of the European plants in a precarious situation.

"It’s not nice that they have been stalling us for so long. Closed, not closed, closed, not closed. Wage, no wage. It’s not nice you know. I hope something will come out of it," said one of Audi’s employees, Katie Vanden Eycken, as quoted by "Bloomberg."

"We are angry," added Aaron Focon, wearing a shirt supporting his father, who worked at the Audi factory for 34 years and now faces the prospect of losing his job. "It’s not normal. The government must wake up and do something."