After having been cancelled twice in the space of just a few days, the conference of European conservative nationalists, 'NatCons', is being held in the Claridge events room in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode in Brussels on Tuesday.
Around 40 leading figures from the conservative and religious right and far-right have been invited to take part in the event. Mayor Emir Kir, who was notified late in the day, has now announced that he is stopping the event on grounds of security.
In an email seen by The Brussels Times, the Hotel Sofitel Brussels Europe management confirmed on Monday afternoon that the far-right fundraising event had been cancelled for the second time in four days. However, at 23:00 on Monday night it was announced that organisers had once again found a last-minute venue at Claridge Events in Saint-Josse.
Among the speakers participating on Tuesday are Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbàn, Vlaams Belang MEP Tom Vandendriessche, Rassemblement National MEP Patricia Chagnon and Europhobic and former British politician Nigel Farage. The conference began at 08:00, according to the Claridge's private manager.
The manager seemed unperturbed about the ideological content of this annual meeting when questioned by Belga News Agency. "We signed a contract with the co-organiser, the Mathias Corvinus Collegium Brussels. This entity is legal, so I don't see why I should have to answer for anything," he insisted. He then claimed to have received the agreement of the municipal authorities, but the Mayor of Saint-Josse has since strongly denied this.
'Absolutely no consent'
"The commune has given absolutely no consent for this event to be held. I was taken by surprise and informed last night," lamented Emir Kir on Monday.
Kir said he would take "all necessary measures" to cancel the current conference, even if that meant applying a banning order with the support of the police zone if the private manager of the venue does not cooperate with the municipality.
Just after midday on Tuesday, Kir announced on social media that he was stopping the event on grounds of security.
J'ai pris un arrêté du Bourgmestre pour interdire l'événement "National Conservatism Conference" pour garantir la sécurité publique.
A Etterbeek, à Bruxelles Ville et à Saint-Josse, l'extrême-droite n'est pas la bienvenue. — Emir KIR (@emir_kir) April 16, 2024
Translation: I have issued an order from the Mayor banning the National Conservatism Conference in the interest of public safety. In Etterbeek, Brussels City and Saint-Josse, the far right is not welcome.
Kir stressed the importance of avoiding "any public disorder" and reiterated his categorical refusal to allow any event with fascist tendencies to be organised in his municipality.
This article was updated at 12:36 to include the latest information.
