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Amidst the chaos of a world falling apart, hope is born. And few places radiate that hope as much as ManiFiesta, the Festival of Solidarity. 🔥 For two days, we celebrated, danced, laughed, played, debated and tore the world apart… to prepare ourselves to build a new one. 17,000 people came together in the spirit of solidarity and hope, in the fight for peace, the climate and social justice. Take a look at the photos and some of the weekend’s highlights.

Raoul Hedebouw's speech during the main event of ManiFiesta 2026.

Closing speech by Peter Mertens, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Belgium (PVDA-PTB), at the International Anti-War Conference, London, 20 June 2026.

Healthcare, not missiles; pensions, not F-35s; schools, not tanks. That is the message from the 12,000 people demonstrating in Brussels today against war and for social justice.

We will not pay the price for their wars. In Brussels, on Sunday, June 14, the European march "Welfare, not Warfare" will take place, organized by the Belgian front Stop Militarisation and the European coalition Stop ReArm Europe. We will be there with the PVDA-PTB (Workers' Party of Belgium).

On February 3, 2025, the 'Arizona' government was sworn in. Since then, it has been trying by all means to make everyone work longer, for less money, among other austerity measures. But it is facing sustained resistance. The social movement is holding firm against the intensified attacks of the De Wever-Bouchez government. With, this May 12, already the 15th national mobilization. 75,000 people filled the streets of Brussels: public and private sector workers, metalworkers, healthcare workers, teachers, public service employees, charity workers, cultural sector workers, youth, feminist, democratic, and peace movements.

Speech by Peter Mertens, general secretary of the PVDA-PTB, at the public event of the 8th congress of the European Left held in Brussels on 18 April, which brought together 40 European parties to fight against austerity, to stop militarisation and to win the future.

War and the militarisation of society, rising energy prices and industrial crisis: Europe is at a crossroads. On 17 and 18 April, Brussels hosted the congress of the European Left. 106 delegates from all over Europe came together to develop a common response to the situation and decide on guidelines for the next three years. The PVDA-PTB became a member of the European Left in 2025, and has since played an active role.

The attitude of European leaders towards the attack by the United States and Israel on Iran is shocking. Neither Ursula Von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, nor Kaja Kallas, the EU's "Foreign Minister", nor most European or Belgian leaders have condemned the attack. On the contrary, they have condemned Iran's response. A joint statement by the French, German and British governments even suggests that the Europeans would like to join this war of aggression in order to defend "their allies".

After Venezuela, Trump, Rubio and the US government are turning to their next target: Cuba.