2017 in Belgium
# 2017 in Belgium

Events in the year 2017 in Belgium.

## Incumbents

* Monarch: Philippe
* Prime Minister: Charles Michel

## Events

### January

* 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.

### February

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

### May

* 24 May – Thousands demonstrate in Brussels to protest Donald Trump's presence for a NATO summit.
* 25 May – Donald Trump addresses NATO summit in Brussels.

### June

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

### August

* 25 August – August 2017 Brussels attack: two soldiers injured in a knife attack; Islamic State claims responsibility.

### October

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

### November

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

## Sports

### July

* 2 July – Stage 2 of the 104th Tour de France ends in Liège, with Marcel Kittel as winner.
* 3 July – Stage 3 of the 104th Tour de France starts in Verviers.

## Deaths

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