Anti-austerity activists hurled French fries at Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel on Monday, who interrupted a press conference to pelt him with fast food.
During a press conference, female protesters dressed in black interrupted the leader's speech, shouting "Austerity out! Michel out!" while showering the leader in fries and dousing him with a bottle of mayonnaise. (French fries served with mayonnaise are a Belgian staple.)
The protesters were part of the activist group LitihS, according to local reports, formerly the Belgian branch of the well-known international protest group Femen, who are known for their brash topless protests.
Michel had just started speaking at a press conference in the Cercle de Wallonie in the southern Belgian city of Namur.
Despite the interruption, the Prime Minister seemed to take it all in stride. Based on photos of the incident it seems that Michel did, in fact, want a side of fries with that.
Prime Minister of Belgium appears quite pleased to be attacked by fries & mayonnaise. http://t.co/sIFNlH3oPO pic.twitter.com/VEaC7qWEDL— Alan (@GammaCounter) December 22, 2014
His security detail, on the other hand, did not think the protest was funny, and quickly escorted Michel out of the room.
After the incident, he got back in front of his audience to finish his speech, before apologizing for smelling like mayo.
Despite the PM's smiles, austerity has become a serious issue in the country, and the french fry hurlers aren't the only ones protesting.
Michel has only bee the Prime Minister since this fall, but just last week, labor unions staged a 24-hour strike against the cuts. The strike specifically targeted government measures to cut income and extend working hours while restricting social services.