Key facts
- Protesters clashed with police in Brussels on Saturday.
- Students are protesting rising education costs and reforms.
- Police used tear gas and water cannon.
- A car was overturned by protesters.
Hundreds of mostly young people protested in Brussels on Saturday, with clashes erupting between protesters and police. The unrest was partly inspired by demonstrations in neighboring France. Belgian student groups stated their opposition to rising education costs and reforms perceived as making higher education less accessible. Police deployed tear gas and water cannon, and some demonstrators overturned a car. Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin condemned the actions, stating that "all necessary means will be used to restore order in the face of the rioters." A similar protest occurred in Liège, where students had previously demonstrated over education costs and access to study materials.