Over 100 Arrested in Belgium During Student Protests Over Education Costs

Police in Belgium have detained more than 100 individuals following demonstrations in the city of Liege against the rising cost of education, which turned violent in some instances. The protests occurred on Tuesday and Wednesday, with students voicing concerns over overcrowded classrooms and limited access to resources in the French-language education system. According to the Belga news agency, 80 people were detained during the protests, with 27 formally arrested. Some protesters reportedly damaged property and set fires. Attendees stated that deficiencies in the education system compelled them to protest. Amelia Di Salve, a 19-year-old aspiring teacher, noted, "When we saw nothing was changing without protests, we decided we would start," adding that protests in France had influenced their actions. Another student, Alfred, emphasized solidarity among students facing similar issues. Authorities are working to ease tensions and prevent further unrest. Willy Demeyer, the mayor of Liege, expressed hope for dialogue, stating, "Dialogue can be established," and that he wished for young people to express their grievances peacefully. Education in Belgium is managed by linguistic communities, leading to different regulations in the Dutch-speaking Flanders region and French-speaking Wallonia. The protests in Liege follow earlier demonstrations in Brussels against an increase in tuition fees for French-speaking students, which rose from 835 euros ($930) to 1,194 euros ($1,340). The education budget in Belgium faces pressure due to the cost-of-living crisis and rising energy costs, contributing to student protests in France as well.