title: 2017 in Belgium
text: # 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).
  