Protest planned for book launch of far-right politician Jordan Bardella

Protestors are planning a demonstration on Wednesday when Jordan Bardella, president of the French far-right National Rally party, will come to Brussels for the launch of his book at the House of Hungary.

Multiple left-wing organisations plan to participate, Bruzz reports, including the Antifascist Coordination of Belgium, the Stand-Up coalition and feminist-ecologist collective Réseau ADES.

“Let's make sure the fascists no longer feel at home in Brussels,” the groups said in an appeal on social media.

They are also asking Brussels mayor Philippe Close (PS) not to allow any demonstration or gathering of the far-right in Brussels.

Jordan Bardella is the 29-year-old president of RN (Rassemblement National), Marine Le Pen's party.

Bardella announced on Instagram that he would be coming to the House of Hungary to present his new book, ‘Ce que je cherche’ (What I'm Looking For).

The House of Hungary is located opposite the prime minister's official residence and close to the federal parliament in the heart of Brussels. The building used to belong to the Belgian state, but was bought in 2021 by the Hungarian government, which invited the controversial French politician for the book launch.

The book launch and counter-demonstration are scheduled for Wednesday evening, but the location of the protest is sensitive because the House of Hungary is only just outside the so-called "neutral zone", where no demonstrations or protests are allowed at all for security reasons.

The zone covers the section of Rue de la Loi in front of the Palace of the Nation, where the two chambers of the federal parliament are seated, the entire Brussels Park and the square in front of the Royal Palace.

Demonstrations are also not allowed on the Grand-Place and immediately in front of the European parliament.

“We review all planned actions of which we are aware and always take appropriate measures,” said Ilse Van de keere, spokeswoman for the Brussels-Capital/Ixelles police zone.

“It’s not allowed to demonstrate in the neutral zone, and we will monitor that. We as police always try to enter into dialogue with activists, for example, to see if they can hold their action a bit further away.”

Photo: European Parliament