Far-right European politicians were set to speak at the National Conservatism Conference in Brussels, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, French far-right candidate Eric Zemmour, and former UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman. The event was shut down by Brussels police following a request from the local mayor, Emir Kir, in order to ensure public safety. The event organisers initially refused to sign the order and bring the event to a close.
Brussels police arrived at the Claridge venue, where Brexit Party founder Nigel Farage was speaking, to enforce the closure of the NatCon conference. The police officer informed the event organisers that the authorities had decided to shut down the event and presented a three-page document outlining the order. Emir Kir, the mayor of the Saint-Josse Ten Noode neighbourhood of Brussels, stated that the far-right is not welcome in the area. Two other Brussels venues had previously refused to host the conference, citing concerns over the nature of the gathering and the speakers.
The cancellation of the NatCon conference comes as a surprise to the organisers and attendees, with the event expected to draw around 600 people. Organisers expressed outrage at the last-minute decision to shut down the event, with Nigel Farage calling the venues’ decisions to cancel “absolutely outrageous.” The incident occurred less than two months ahead of the European elections, with polls indicating a potential surge in support for hard-right and Eurosceptic parties. The shutdown of the conference is a developing story that will be updated by journalists covering the event.
The decision to shut down the National Conservatism Conference in Brussels highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding far-right political gatherings in Europe. The involvement of high-profile figures like Viktor Orbán, Eric Zemmour, and Suella Braverman adds to the controversy surrounding the event. The actions of the Brussels police in enforcing the closure order reflect growing concerns about public safety and the presence of far-right ideologies in the area. Emir Kir’s statement that the far-right is not welcome underscores the divide between the organisers of such events and local authorities.
The refusal of multiple venues to host the NatCon conference illustrates the challenges faced by far-right groups in finding spaces to hold their gatherings. The cancellation of the event at the Sofitel hotel due to the nature of the speakers and gathering highlights the broader societal backlash against far-right ideologies. Nigel Farage’s comments on the cancellations being “absolutely outrageous” echo the sentiments of many attendees who were disappointed by the shutdown of the conference. With European elections approaching, the incident serves as a reminder of the growing influence of hard-right and Eurosceptic parties across the continent.
Overall, the shutdown of the National Conservatism Conference in Brussels shines a spotlight on the complexities of far-right politics in Europe and the challenges faced by organisers of such events. The involvement of prominent figures and the subsequent closure by Brussels police underscore the ongoing tensions surrounding these gatherings. As the situation continues to develop, it remains to be seen how the incident will impact the broader political landscape in Europe and the upcoming European elections.
