2017 in Belgium

Events

17 January – Public outcry about Romanie Schotte, crowned Miss Belgium 3 days before, posting a Pile of Poo emoji in response to a racist comment about somebody in the background of one of her Instagram photos, many taking it to indicate agreement with the comment.^[2]^[3]^[4]

14 February – Mayor of Mechelen, Bart Somers, wins world mayor of the year award,^[5] for his efforts to promote integration and prevent crime.^[6]

24 May – Thousands demonstrate in Brussels to protest Donald Trump's presence for a NATO summit.^[7]
25 May – Donald Trump addresses NATO summit in Brussels.^[8]

20 June – June 2017 Brussels attack: after an explosion without casualties in Brussels Central Station, a suspect is shot dead by patrolling soldiers.^[9]

25 August – August 2017 Brussels attack: two soldiers injured in a knife attack; Islamic State claims responsibility.^[10]

30 October – Carles Puigdemont and others facing rebellion charges for their role in the Catalan declaration of independence take refuge in Belgium.^[11]

11 November – Rioting and looting in Brussels after celebrations of the Morocco national football team qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup turn violent;^[12] 23 injured, including 22 police officers.^[13]

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Deaths

5 January – Luc Coene, economist (b. 1947).^[15]
11 January – François Van der Elst, footballer (b. 1954).^[16]
21 January – Marc Baecke, footballer (b. 1956).^[17]
1 February
- Étienne Tshisekedi, Congolese politician (b. 1932).^[18]
- Antoon Verschoot, bugler (b. 1925).^[19]
8 February – Jan Vansina, historian and anthropologist (b. 1929).^[20]
9 February – Serge Baguet, cyclist (b. 1969).^[21]
20 February – André Vlayen, cyclist (b. 1931).^[22]
27 February – Marcel De Corte, footballer (b. 1929).^[23]
2 March – Édouard Close, politician (b. 1929).^[24]
6 March – Eddy Pauwels, cyclist (b. 1935).^[25]
12 March – Patrick Nève, racing driver (b. 1949).^[26]
17 April – Nicolle Van Den Broeck, cyclist (b. 1946).^[27]
30 April – Jean De Mesmaeker (Jidéhem), cartoonist (b. 1935).^[28]
15 May – Ulrich Libbrecht, philosopher (b. 1928).^[29]
20 May – Emile Degelin, filmmaker (b. 1926).^[30]
24 May – Pierre Seron, cartoonist (b. 1942).^[31]
1 June – Leon Lemmens, bishop (b. 1954).^[32]
6 June – François Houtart, radical priest (b. 1925).^[33]
1 September – Annette Wademant, screenwriter (b. 1928)
7 December – Philippe Maystadt, politician (b. 1948).^[34]

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Incumbents