Belgian Politicians Back Bootcamps for Rioters

Two prominent Belgian politicians from opposing ends of the political spectrum have united in calling for “bootcamps” to discipline rioters, following a day of violent protests in Brussels that left parts of the city center damaged. Defense Minister Theo Francken has announced that the Belgian military is ready to assist in implementing such programs.

The proposals, detailed in a De Morgen report, come after an estimated 3,000 students and teachers took to the streets of Brussels on June 4 to protest against €300 million in budget cuts to French-speaking education. The demonstration turned violent, with fires set at Brussels-Central Station, widespread vandalism, and confrontations with police that required tear gas and water cannons to disperse. Approximately ten people were arrested on the first day, with further arrests following on June 5.

The Proposals

Vooruit party chairman Conner Rousseau, who witnessed the violence firsthand, posted an emotional video on Instagram in which he called the rioters “krapuul” (scum) and outlined a three-point plan for dealing with the perpetrators. His proposal included arresting all those involved and summoning their parents, forcing the rioters to clean up and repair the damage they caused, and sending them to a “bootcamp” to learn discipline and manners.

“Don’t get hung up on the term,” Rousseau said in the video, “but make sure they’re trained somewhere and learn manners, which they clearly haven’t learned at home.”

The following day, Defense Minister Theo Francken of the Flemish nationalist N-VA party publicly endorsed the idea. In a post on X, Francken described the previous day’s events as “a pure disgrace” and declared that “bootcamps must come for these young delinquents.” He added that “re-education is urgently needed” and that the Defense department “stands ready to help, if desired.”

Political Reactions

The bootcamp concept is not new in Belgian politics. Vlaams Belang MP Ortwin Depoortere first proposed the idea in March 2026, citing correctional boot camps in Australia as a model. Following Rousseau’s statement, Vlaams Belang was quick to accuse the Vooruit chairman of copying their platform.

“Yet another VB position that Connor gets to announce in the media,” wrote Vlaams Belang figure Britt Huybrechts on X. “Good that his brand manager gets all his ideas from our party program.”

The cross-party alignment is notable: Rousseau leads a social democratic party traditionally associated with progressive justice policies, while Francken represents the nationalist right. Their agreement on the need for bootcamps reflects a broader hardening of political attitudes toward youth delinquency in Belgium.

Context of the Protests

The violence erupted against the backdrop of deeply unpopular education reforms. The French Community government, led by MR and Les Engagés, approved a €300 million savings plan that includes 10% more teaching time for secondary teachers without salary compensation, stricter sick leave rules, increased tuition fees of up to €1,194 for a majority of higher education students, and changes to teacher tenure. The reforms were pushed through using an accelerated parliamentary procedure that critics have called undemocratic.

The French Community parliament approved the cuts late on June 4 after a marathon 14-hour session, even as protests continued outside.

Analysis and Implications

The bootcamp proposal raises significant questions about Belgian youth justice policy. If implemented, the programs would represent a major shift toward military-style discipline for young offenders, a approach that has produced mixed results in other countries. Legal experts have questioned whether such programs would comply with Belgian and international juvenile justice standards.

For Rousseau, the tough-on-crime stance appears to be a calculated political strategy. The Vooruit leader has a history of tough law-and-order positions, including a 2023 incident in which he was recorded suggesting police should use batons more freely. By championing bootcamps, he may be seeking to appeal to working-class voters who feel abandoned by traditional left-wing parties on security issues.

Francken’s offer of Defense resources gives the proposal concrete institutional backing, potentially accelerating any move toward implementation. However, the question of jurisdiction remains complex: youth delinquency policy in Belgium falls under regional authority, while the federal government would need to approve any involvement of the military.

What’s Next

The bootcamp proposal is expected to be debated in the Belgian parliament in the coming days. With protests continuing for a second day on June 5 — including in the city of Namur, where schools were closed — pressure on politicians to respond decisively is mounting. The position of other coalition partners, including CD&V, MR, and Les Engagés, remains unclear, and the debate is likely to test the cohesion of the De Wever government.

As Belgium grapples with the aftermath of the worst education-related violence in years, the question is no longer whether tougher measures will be proposed, but which ones will ultimately be adopted.