Belgium steeled itself for

The movement is planned in three waves: trains and other public transport went on strike Monday, with national railroad company SNCB expecting to run one or two out of three trains. Several Eurostars linking Brussels to Paris were cancelled.

On Tuesday, public services such as schools, creches, and hospitals join the strike, and for Wednesday unions have called for a full general strike covering all categories.

No flights are expected Wednesday at the country's two main airports, Bruxelles-Zaventem and Charleroi.

- 'Contempt' -

The strike was called by the main Belgian unions who are in a stand-off with Prime Minister Bart De Wever over his efforts to shrink the country's debt, one of the highest in Europe along with Greece, Italy and France.

Hours before

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