Belgian students rally over education costs in protests echoing France - Reuters

Hundreds of students took to the streets of Liège on October 7 to protest rising education costs, joining a wave of demonstrations that have spread across Belgium in recent weeks. The gatherings in the eastern city were part of a broader movement that has been described as echoing the student unrest currently unfolding in neighbouring France.

Organisers said the protests are driven by concerns over tuition fees, living expenses and other financial pressures faced by university and college students. Demonstrators have called for greater affordability and transparency in the funding of higher education, citing the need for reforms to prevent students from being burdened by escalating costs.

Local media reported that police made 107 arrests in connection with the Liège demonstrations over the past several days. The arrests were said to have occurred during clashes between protesters and law‑enforcement officers, as well as in the aftermath of attempts to disperse gatherings that were deemed to be in violation of public order regulations.

Authorities indicated that the police response was aimed at maintaining public safety and preventing disruptions to traffic and public services. The detained individuals were taken to local facilities, with some reportedly released pending further investigation.

The protests continue to draw participants from a range of educational institutions, and officials have signalled that discussions on tuition policy may be forthcoming as the government monitors the situation and the broader sentiment among the student population.