The Institut Thomas More has decided not to appeal a ruling from the Hainaut Court of First Instance, which previously dismissed its defamation lawsuit against Belgian Socialist Party (PS) president Paul Magnette. The legal dispute followed comments Magnette made on LN24 in April 2025, where he labeled the think tank an “extreme-right institute” with ties to the French Rassemblement National (RN).
Did You Know? The Institut Thomas More initially sought 5,000 euros in damages for the alleged defamation, but ultimately reduced its claim to a symbolic one euro before the court rejected the complaint in May.
Legal Reasoning Behind the Dismissal
In its May decision, the court concluded that Paul Magnette possessed a sufficient factual basis to express his opinion regarding the organization. Although the court’s ruling does not officially classify the institute as being of the “extreme right,” it effectively legitimizes the use of this terminology under the protections of freedom of expression.
The judges reviewed several factual elements, including the institute’s stated positions, its ideological associations, and its proximity to specific political movements. By abandoning the appeal, the institute has allowed this judgment to become final, meaning the legal characterization of the organization remains protected speech in the context of Magnette’s public commentary.
Context of the Dispute
The conflict originated from Magnette’s assertion that the institute’s collaboration with the Mouvement Réformateur (MR)—which included hosting conferences with Georges-Louis Bouchez on energy in 2022 and debates on radicalism in schools in 2025—signaled a concerning shift for the liberal party. The institute, which identifies itself as “liberal conservative,” argued that these statements were intended to damage its reputation.
The organization was founded in 2004 by former French minister Charles Millon and has been linked to various ultraconservative networks. Reports indicate the think tank participated in the creation of “Collectif Justitia,” a group of lawyers led by the institute’s current deputy director general, Aymeric de Lamotte. According to a document published by L’Humanité in July 2024, the collective was established to conduct a “legal guerrilla” campaign against issues including immigration, Islamism, and gender theory, with financing linked to billionaire Pierre-Edouard Stérin.
Potential Future Implications
With the legal battle now concluded, the focus may shift back to the political implications of the institute’s affiliations.
Additionally, the involvement of the institute in the “Projet Périclès”—a framework focused on themes such as patriotism and sovereignty—could remain a point of contention in future public discourse. Observers may watch to see if the institute modifies its public outreach or its collaborations with mainstream political parties in response to the continued public association with the “extreme right” label now shielded by the court’s decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Institut Thomas More drop its appeal?
The institute decided not to challenge the May ruling from the Hainaut Court of First Instance, which had already dismissed its defamation lawsuit against Paul Magnette.
Did the court rule that the institute is an extreme-right organization?
No. The court did not make a definitive ruling on the institute’s ideological classification; rather, it determined that Paul Magnette had a sufficient factual basis to express his opinion, thereby protecting his statements under the right to freedom of expression.
What was the basis of the institute’s original complaint?
The institute claimed that Paul Magnette’s description of it as an “extreme-right institute” on LN24 was defamatory and intended to harm its reputation, as the organization defines itself as “liberal conservative.”
How do you think this court decision will influence the way political parties choose their external partners for future policy debates?
Keep reading