The council of the City of Brussels has unanimously approved a motion officially naming the city as an 'anti-fascist city'. The motion was adopted ahead of VE Day on 8 May, the anniversary of the day in 1945 when the Nazis capitulated marking the end of World War II in Europe.
The socialist, liberal and Christian democrat city leadership backed the motion tabled by the greens. In this way the City of Brussels wants to underline its role in the fight against fascism and confirm this role for the future.
Far right alive and kicking
Green councillor Zoubida Jellab, who proposed the motion, insisted 'far right ideas are alive and in rude health today'. ‘In the United States under Trump, but also here in Europe, in Italy, Poland, Hungary, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, Slovakia, Sweden, Portugal, Spain and in Belgium,’ the councillor said. According to Zoubida Jellab, the motion means Brussels is restating its role as a city committed to fighting all forms of hatred, fascism, far-right ideology, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and more.
Mayor Philippe Close (Francophone socialist PS) called on councillors to back the motion unanimously. This was important, Mr Close said, ‘because as the capital of Europe, we are often part of the opposition today. Not a day goes by without us being balled over by statements in the United States,’ the mayor said.
The mayor explained Brussels city council had been much more right-wing in the past, but noted ‘no fascists had been elected in the city for 20 years’. The mayor is ‘proud’ of today’s city council that includes people from the four corners of the earth.
Setting an example
‘Europe's largest cosmopolitan city is once again leading by example, because it doesn't matter where you come from. What matters is what you build together,’ Mr Close concluded.