Flemish socialist leader Rousseau threatened during New Year's reception

Flemish socialist leader Rousseau threatened during New Year's reception
Vooruit's chairman Conner Rousseau pictured during a party congress of French-speaking socialist party PS, Sunday 25 September 2022 in Brussels. Credit: Belga / Hatim Kaghat

At the New Year reception of the Flemish social-democratic Vooruit party on Sunday, a person was caught storming towards the stage while using aggressive language during a speech by party leader Conner Rousseau.

Rousseau was already under police protection following recent death threats against him. The surveillance means extra patrolling in his neighbourhood, and a police presence whenever there may be an (increased) risk of incidents.

"'I often get threats from right-wing extremists, wishing each other dead has apparently become the new normal," he said on VRT's television programme 'De Zevende Dag' on Sunday morning. "But we have to draw a line somewhere."

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At Vooruit's New Year's reception, too, police were discreetly present from the start. On VTM News, Rousseau said that someone was present who "stormed towards the stage" while using "aggressive language."

Plainclothes officers were able to intervene and arrested the man. Rousseau himself did not notice the fuss, he said afterwards.


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