Protest during commemoration of mining disaster in Marcinelle

On Saturday, the seventieth anniversary of the deadly mining disaster in Marcinelle was commemorated. During the ceremony, many attendees turned their backs on Italian Senate President Ignazio La Russa as he began to speak. This protest came from members of Walloon trade unions, who wanted to express their dissatisfaction with the presence of far-right politicians.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who is also a member of the far-right Fratelli d'Italia party, reacted angrily to the protest. She expressed her outrage over how the commemoration was used by the union members as a platform for political activism, according to reports from VRT NWS.

Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot (Les Engagés) regretted the action of the union members. He noted it was "unfortunate" that the commemoration brought moments of politicization. Prévot pointed out that such actions can be perceived as hurtful.

Police in Charleroi intervened and seized a banner and flyers from antifascist activists at the Bois du Cazier site, where the commemoration took place. The activists protested against the presence of Italian politicians and the decision to grant them a role during the ceremonies.

According to Het Nieuwsblad, the protest was not only about La Russa's presence but could also be seen as a broader response against the far-right political agenda. The union members found La Russa's attendance and the political implications inappropriate during a commemoration meant to honor the victims.

The situation has garnered significant media attention, with various reactions from the political sphere. While Meloni voiced her anger, other political figures made it clear that they also regretted the tone set during the commemoration.