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Brussels MCC: “Battle of the Soul of Europe”

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Brussels 04.12.2025 The think tank MCC Brussels has conducted two-days confernce “Battle for the Soul of Europe”.

The “Battle for the Soul of Europe” brings together patriots, thinkers, politicians, journalists, academics and civic leaders to ask the most important question of the moment:
What comes next?
What comes the day after the next major patriotic political victory?

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What are the ideas, policies and strategies required to take power back from Brussels and launch a new democratic revolution in Europe?

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From remigration, to restoring control over civil services, from rebuilding a transatlantic alliance, to reviving European industry after decades of environmentalist mismanagement – this conference will present a bold, serious programme for not just winning power, but wielding it to reshape Europe’s future.

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The event returning to the city that became a symbol of Europe’s free speech fight in 2024.

The video highlights the conference’s new location in central Brussels, the city where, almost two years ago, a major conservative gathering was targeted by three Brussels mayors, culminating in police entering the venue on the orders of Mayor of Saint-Josse-ten-Noode commune – Emir Kir.

Emir Kir is the mayor of Brussels borough of Sint-Joost from Turkish origin, who became first one of non-European heritage.

That moment became a defining symbol of the Brussels establishment’s hostility toward free speech, political diversity, and patriotic voices. But it also became a symbol of resistance, said John O’Brien, the head of the MCC communications.

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On that day, the efforts to shut down the meeting failed thanks in part to the determination of Mr Ben, the Belgian-Tunisian owner of the Claridge venue, who stood firm alongside organisers and insisted that his doors remain open to people of all political backgrounds, O’Brien continues.

MCC Brussels was deeply involved in that extraordinary chapter. Since then, much has changed.
“The public is no longer afraid to speak their minds” he concludes proudly. “Freedom of speech either exists for everyone – or it doesn’t exist at all,” he added.

Today, across Europe, despite the increasingly desperate efforts of political elites, the public has grown more confident in expressing their views, and elections are slowly, but unmistakably, turning toward common-sense, patriotic voices.

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This is precisely why MCC Brussels has chosen to return to Claridge, now a recognised symbol of free speech, for its biggest event yet.

“We chose Brussels again, and we chose to show the venue openly and proudly,” said Frank Füredi, Executive Director of MCC Brussels. “This is our answer to those who tried to close the doors on us last time: we are back, we are visible, and we are not afraid.”

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The Events of April 2024: A Turning Point
In April 2024, the earlier conference in Brussels was:
Forced to move venues twice in one weekend after cancellations triggered by political pressure from Brussels mayors Philippe Close and Vincent De Wolf.
Hit with a police shutdown order at the third venue, Claridge, issued by Mayor Emir Kir, who declared that certain political views “are not welcome” in Brussels.
Blockaded by police, who prevented new arrivals – including the delivery of lunch – while the event continued behind closed doors.
In the early hours of the following morning, at a 2:00am emergency court hearing, Belgium’s administrative courts overturned the shutdown, ruling there was no credible threat to public order and reaffirming the constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
This week’s conference – and today’s video – underline a clear message:
Brussels will again be a place where conservatives gather, speak, and will not be intimidated.

Timeline: From the April 2024 Crackdown
12 April 2024
First venue cancels under political pressure from Mayor Philippe Close (City of Brussels)
14 April 2024
Second venue formally pulls out, citing political pressure from Mayor Vincent De Wolf (Etterbeek).
16 April 2024 – Morning
Conference opens at Claridge in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode.
16 April 2024 – 11am
Police enter the venue during Nigel Farage’s speech, enforcing the shutdown order.
Officers block further entry, trapping the event inside a de facto lockdown.
Night of 16–17 April 2024
Organisers launch emergency legal challenges.
In the 2:00am ruling, Belgium’s courts overturn the shutdown.
17 April 2024
Conference resumes. The attempted shutdown is condemned internationally.
3–4 December 2024
MCC Brussels returns to Claridge for the Battle for the Soul of Europe, now a landmark symbol of free expression.

Political Reactions Then – Still Echoing Now

Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister of Belgium:
“Municipal autonomy can never overrule the Belgian constitution. Banning political meetings is unconstitutional. Full stop.”

Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy:
“What happened in Brussels was unjustifiable… My solidarity goes to all those whose rights were violated.”

Nigel Farage:
“We are up against an evil ideology… a new form of communism.”

MCC Brussels: “We’re Not Hiding”
“We are not holding this conference in secret.
We are not hiding our venue.
Our answer to censorship is more openness, more debate, and more democracy.”

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