Police Intervene at National Conservation Conference in Brussels, Banning Right-Wing Politicians – NOS News

In Brussels, the police intervened on the first day of the National Conservation Conference (NatCon). About forty conservative and right-wing politicians were scheduled to speak at that conference, including British minister Suella Braverman and French politician Éric Zemmour.

The Mayor of the city of Sint-Joost-ten-Noode in Brussels, Emir Kir, banned the event shortly after it started for fear of disturbing public order. The police intervened when British politician Nigel Farage, the spiritual father of Brexit, was on stage. The hall was not evacuated, but the police no longer allowed new visitors. Visitors who went out then could no longer enter the hall.

The Liberal Prime Minister of Belgium, Alexander De Croo, believes that it is “unacceptable” that the Brussels police have intervened. The authorities in the city have gone against the constitution, he writes. “Banning political gatherings is unconstitutional. Period.”

Immediately after the meeting was announced in the suburb, riots had already arisen. The left-wing opposition announced that they would take action. So the organizers had to keep looking for a new place for the conference.

It finally started this morning in an event hall in Sint-Joost-ten-Noode. according to Flemish media, the mayor had asked the operator not to allow the event to go ahead, but he did not respond after consulting with his lawyers.

The British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has also spoken about the intervention of the police. He said the situation was “deeply disturbing” through a BBC spokesman. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says she has been watching with “disbelief and disgust” at the “hateful ban on freedom of expression” in Brussels.

Tomorrow is the second and last day of the conference. The group has said that they are looking for another place.