Protesters in Liège, Belgium, escalated student demonstrations against education budget cuts with vandalism, arrests, and fiery confrontations on October 1-2, 2026, as officials condemned the violence but acknowledged youth frustrations over proposed financial reforms.
Protest Actions and Escalation
Over two days in early October 2026, between 500 and 600 students in Liège protested proposed budget cuts to the French-speaking education system, with some resorting to vandalism, burning electric steps, and attempting to break into schools. Authorities reported four arrests, including three for legal violations and one administrative hold, as tensions flared across the city.
Protesters targeted multiple schools, including Liège Atlas and the Athénée de Fragnée, with reports of damaged storefronts, thrown objects, and blocked traffic. A group set fire to bicycles and steps on the Esplanade Saint-Léonard, while others hurled stones at police near the Athénée de Fragnée. We have to be louder because we aren’t being heard,
said a masked 18-year-old student, citing rising costs for bus passes and university fees as key grievances.
Around 10 a.m., the procession moved along the Place des Déportés and Rue Hors-Château toward the city center, after which participants scattered into different groups. The police reported that youths tried to force the entrances of several schools, upturned street furniture, and threw objects at school buildings. Several shops, including the JD Sports store, were damaged. A group burned bikes and scooters on the Esplanade Saint-Léonard, while protesters pelted police officers at the Athénée de Fragnée with stones.
Official Responses and Criticisms
Education Minister Valérie Glatigny condemned the violence, calling it “unacceptable,” while defending the budget measures as necessary to sustain teacher salaries and school investments. The two additional hours per week for teachers address real classroom needs,
she said, dismissing claims of unfair workload increases.
Studente Erin Defrenne (20) stated, The politicians have deliberately chosen a certain course, and it seems they don’t care that there are victims along the way.
She emphasized that the youth and those in poverty are the true victims of the policy shifts. Alexis Peeters (20), a social work student at Haute École Libre Mosane, noted the influence of French media coverage: We zien de Franse video’s en oproepen op sociale media, maar onze boosheid is echt—het gaat om onze toekomst.
Broader Context of Educational Cuts
Local authorities in Liège announced school closures for October 3, citing safety concerns, while police continued monitoring the situation.
Next Steps and Unanswered Questions
As the protests continue, key questions remain: Will the government revise its budget proposals to address student concerns? How will the ongoing investigations into the vandalism and arrests affect future demonstrations? And can dialogue between officials and youth leaders prevent further escalation? For now, Liège’s students insist their movement is far from over. We’ll keep going, even if it takes years, said a protester, echoing the defiant stance of those demanding systemic change.
“We will continue on Monday, and if necessary, for a long time after.”
Student protest slogan, via Standaard