European transport strikes set to cause travel misery The "European Day of action and Solidarty" is threatening transport chaos across several European cities and for international travellers. As hundreds of thousands of workers across the continent stage a one day strike, commuters and tourists are set to face severe delays to their journeys. In the Spanish capital Madrid, the metro service has been stopped. Surburban and intercity rail services also aren't running. High-speed network Thalys says its cancelled trains to Germany from the Belgian capital. Its other routes to Paris and Amsterdam from Brussels face delays. But Eurostar services are unaffected. Union leader Filip Peers wants the Belgian government to reverse planned public sector reforms: "Austerity means cuts to public services. Austerity brings recession. We can't accept it (because) it will deepen the crisis. In Portugal, the Lisbon metro will remain shut all day. Only 10 percent of commuter trains are running and only because a court ordered that a minimum service be operated. Portuguese carrier TAP says its cancelled 45 percent of its flights today. Several airlines at Spanish airports have also cut services, including several international routes. More about: Austerity, Europe, Protest, Strike, Transport