Police unions find National Day military parade "a risk"

Police will take part in the traditional military parade in front of the palace on National Day next Tuesday as usual, despite a call from unions to cancel their appearance, federal interior minister Jan Jambon has said. 

Police unions had called for their section of the parade to be cancelled, describing it as “an unnecessary risk”. The unions were referring to the ongoing terrorist threat, which has been specifically aimed at police officers. If they were not allowed to withdraw, unions warned, they would take action to disrupt the event.

They also called for the cancellation of the “police village”, which presents the force’s work to the public on Place Poelaert in front of the Justice Palace.

“It’s not for unions to decide whether the event will be held but for police management,” Jambon told the federal parliament. He had asked the risk-assessment office OCAD for an evaluation of the terrorist threat, which remains at level three, while the risk for the parade was level two (out of four).

Police unions said they were unhappy with the decision. According to a spokesperson, they will now look into what action can be taken “without compromising security during the festivities”.

Meanwhile, it was announced that King Albert and Queen Paola will not be present to see the parade in front of the royal palace this year. They declined to appear last year, a year after King Philippe had taken the throne.  They said they also preferred to allow Philippe and Queen Mathilde to appear without them this year.

Photo by Kevin Van den Panhuyzen/Demotix/Corbis