Congress President, Marc Cools, condemns the recent aggression of a mayor in France and makes the following statement:

“Democracy is the contradictory debate, the confrontation of ideas. Under no circumstances may violence or physical aggression be used against elected representatives.

"I condemn the recent aggression in France of the mayor of Péage-en-Roussillon and call for banning all kind of violence in Europe, including verbal violence, against elected representatives. When physical aggressions occur, they must be severely punished by the courts.

"The defense of democracy is at stake"