Belgian PM files complaint against radio host for encouraging listeners to shoot him

Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo has filed a complaint against a local radio host who told listeners on Wednesday to go ahead if they had plans to shoot the prime minister.

The radio station Waregem1 has suspended the host. The man made the statement after a news item about Slovak prime minister Robert Fico, who was shot in the street on Wednesday.

"To all those who are thinking about shooting Alexander De Croo but don't dare because of the security around him: you see, it is possible to shoot a prime minister. So I would say go ahead," he said.

"The presenter says he meant it to be playful, but it did not come across that way"

De Croo has lodged a complaint with the police in Waregem, his communications director said on X. "Inciting violence is punishable," he said. "The prime minister is continuing his campaign."

"Yesterday on Waregem1, an employee made an inappropriate statement," the radio station said on its website. "The presenter says he meant it to be playful, but it did not come across that way. He apologises to the listeners and to Waregem1".

"Waregem1 is of the opinion that he completely misjudged the timing and context and that this statement was therefore unacceptable. For this reason, the presenter was immediately suspended," the station said.

^{Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo © ELGA PHOTO HATIM KAGHAT}