The numerous incidents that occur when the “Front Antifasciste de Liège” gathers at certain events organised by the Mouvement Réformateur are well known. Complaints have been filed, investigations opened, and several people have been charged with criminal conspiracy, group rebellion, and assault against citizens and police officers.
Through a parliamentary question, Liberal MP Stéphanie Cortisse questioned the Minister-President of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, Elisabeth Degryse (Les Engagés), in committee, denouncing the granting of public subsidies for the organisation of events linked, directly or indirectly, to the “Front Antifasciste de Liège” or some of its offshoots such as “Peuple & Culture”.
The MP also notes that several associations, themselves heavily subsidised by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, such as Ecolo J, the Young Socialists, COMAC, the Young FGTB, the JOC, C-Paje and the FEF, have joined this network set up by the “Front Antifasciste de Liège”, as shown on its website.
In her response, Minister-President Degryse confirms that several associations recognised and subsidised by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation are indeed among the signatory associations and collectives of the “Front Antifasciste de Liège”, and that some events organised in partnership with this Front receive public subsidies.
Minister-President Degryse, however, takes refuge in the fact that it is not the Front itself that is directly subsidised and that it defines itself, in its own charter, as a network of individuals. “While I in no way tolerate the violence and intimidation that took place at gatherings organised by the Front Antifasciste de Liège, I call for caution. The responsibility for individual excesses should not be placed on operators or associations, even if they belong to these movements,” she says, also emphasising activist engagement and critical thinking, reflecting the plurality of opinions in a democracy, as well as freedom of association and expression.
“Of course, open debate is the foundation of democracy. Yet these organisations are precisely seeking to trample on it, trying to prevent the leading French-speaking democratic party from expressing itself and meeting in Liège, through violence, threats and intimidation rather than an exchange of arguments. Violence which they themselves acknowledge and claim on their social media,” retorted MP Stéphanie Cortisse.
“How can we keep granting public subsidies to an organisation whose members sometimes use exactly the same authoritarian methods they claim to be fighting? This kind of organisation is dangerous for democracy,” exclaims Stéphanie Cortisse, who herself witnessed scenes of rare violence on 18 September 2025 when she tried to reach the XX Août building in Liège for the event held in memory of Jean Gol.
“I will never forget that in Liège, in front of the University where I studied, I was chased and hunted through the streets along with colleagues and MR sympathisers. Some were beaten and intimidated for their political beliefs,” continues the MP from Verviers, who is calling for the abolition of such public subsidies or, at the very least, their suspension while it is determined whether those charged are convicted and what role they play within these “antifa” collectives, which are easily identifiable since they hold regular general assemblies and are listed on the website of the “Front Antifasciste de Liège”.
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