Belgian Students Protest Education Costs, Stirred by French Unrest

Hundreds of students have protested in the eastern Belgian city of Liège, with 107 arrests reported in recent days as demonstrations over education costs turned violent. The unrest is partly inspired by student protests in neighboring France, according to local media.

Authorities issued warnings for shopkeepers to close businesses early and advised citizens to avoid the city center due to severe traffic disruptions. The arrests were linked to offenses including property damage and arson, according to the Belga news agency.

The core issues driving the protests include rising education costs, overcrowded classrooms, and difficulties accessing study materials within Belgium's French-language education system. Students carried signs with slogans such as "It's a mess, we are fighting for a right! Not a privilege!" and "I chose education, not the hunger games!!"

This wave of protests follows similar clashes in Brussels in June, which were also related to education reforms, including a significant tuition fee increase for many students in Belgium's French-speaking community. Videos circulating on social media depict shattered glass, fires, and large crowds of young protesters in Liège, with police visible in riot gear blocking roads.

Some students indicated they are in communication with their French counterparts, sharing solidarity over what they describe as similar educational challenges. Nineteen-year-old student Alfred stated, "We support each other because we’re facing pretty much the same issues." Another student, Amelia Di Salve, 19, noted that the Belgian student movement gained momentum after observing the demonstrations in France, stating, "When we saw nothing was changing without protests, we decided we would start… France did influence us a little."

The mayor of Liège, Willy Demeyer, expressed hope for a return to calm, stating, "I hope calm will return and that dialogue can be established and that the young people can express their grievances in a peaceful way and, if possible, have those concerns heard."