Nearly three months following the country’s national elections, Belgium currently stands with no permanent government, depending on a temporary caretaker government. A political crisis began in June 2007 when Yves Leterme, leader of the Flemish Christian Democrat party, topped the poll in the country’s national parliamentary elections. Since Leterme’s win, attempts to agree to a coalition government in the culturally diverse nation have so far been unsuccessful leading to distrust and seemingly unending political instability.
The effects of a widening political crisis between Dutch-speakers, making up approximately 60 percent of the population, and French-speaking Walloons have left the country reeling with outsiders questioning whether the crisis will lead the loosely federalized state to divorce.
For Brussels residents’, the nation’s bi-lingual capital, reconciliation is the best choice. In September 2007, one concerned Brussels resident, advocating unification took to the worldwide web via popular auction site eBay and placed a tongue-in-cheek advertisement for his fledgling state. Posted, “For Sale: Belgium, a kingdom in three parts,” the advertisement lasted merely a few days before eBay administrators took it down after receiving a bid of 10 million euros for the country.
Despite the current lengthy three-month hiatus, Belgium is no stranger to political turmoil. To this end, this is not the first time Belgium has faced the prospect of separation, nor will it likely be the last.
We believe reconciliation is the best choice for all interested parties, although it will likely be a difficult road ahead as a reported 43 percent of the country’s Dutch-speaking population is advocating an independent Dutch Flanders state.
Unity at Risk
Political turmoil has led to increasing concern the unified federal state will come to an end. The crisis began in June 2007 when Yves Leterme, leader of the Flemish Christian Democrat party, claimed victory at the country’s national parliamentary elections.
Widely seen as a divisive figure, a crucial and controversial element of Leterme’s platform is the substantial weakening of Belgian state powers in transportation, housing, education, agriculture, and culture—areas that are already largely controlled by five regional and linguistic parliaments and administrations.
Over the last thirty years Belgium has seen a series of Dutch-speaking prime ministers who were successful in their ability to command the confidence of both the country’s main ethnic and linguistic communities. However Leterme’s success at the polls suggests a stark change in direction, signaling division of the loosely federalized state may be steadily approaching.
Belgium’s Dutch-speaking north is largely considered economically superior to its counterpart, French-speaking southern Wallonia. Flemish voters, who tend to cast their votes on the political right, advocate Flemish independence citing their prosperity is strained by the economically stressed Wallonia.
In September 2007 Belgian King Albert II departed his holiday early to make a stringent plea for national unity, however his efforts proved ineffective as Belgians in both parts of the country continue to opinion the prospect of separation. Approximately three months have passed since the diverse state went to national elections. Subsequently a collapse of trust between the two sides has left leaders of both sides incapable of achieving a functioning coalition government with virtually no solution in sight.
In recent opinion polls, a purported 43 percent of Flanders residents support the split, while only five percent agree in the French-speaking Walloon region.
Leterme: A Divisive Candidate
Arising victorious in the nation’s June 2007 national elections, Yves Leterme and his Flemish Christian Democrats, continue to advocate greater autonomy for Belgium’s two regions, placing an emphasis on an independent Flemish state. So far they have been unsuccessful in their efforts to establish suitable coalition partners.
Leterme’s platform centers on a substantial weakening of Belgian state powers in what is already considered a loose federal system. In addition to a weakening of federal powers in transportation, housing, and education, Leterme’s campaign platform called for the secession of federal governmental powers on taxation, social security, economic policy, justice, and immigration.
To add insult to injury, in July 2007, Leterme broke into the French national anthem “La Marseillaise” when media reporters requested he sing Belgium’s “La Brabanconne.” The faux pas led to increased concern as to Leterme’s abilities to effectively lead the loosely federalized state.
Amid intense political wrangling, in August 2007, Leterme officially stepped down from the electoral race. However, popular support for the candidate has not waned as a purported 70 percent of western Flanders and 62 percent of eastern Flanders residents remain willing to vote for him should he return to the race.
In the meantime, Belgium’s King Albert II has persuaded outgoing Prime Minister, Guy Verhofstadt to briefly return to power along with his former Cabinet as a caretaker government while the opposing parties continue their squabbling.
Dutch-Speakers Seek Greater Autonomy
Signs of increasing tensions between the French-speaking Walloons and Dutch-speaking Flemish are evident throughout the country. In September 2007, authorities in the small Dutch-speaking city of Hal announced road signs in the city would no longer be written in Dutch and French, maintaining French translations would be banned. The ban is likely the result of efforts established by pro-independence political leaders resident in Flanders.
On September 10, 2007, Flemish far-right political party, Vlaams Belang or “Flemish Importance,” failed in a Flemish parliament bid to force a debate centered on attaining Flemish independence.
However, the far-right party remains actively engaged in efforts to establish Flemish independence and promotes a “foreigners out” attitude. As we previously reported, on September 11, 2007, the six-year anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, Belgian police arrested upwards of 150 demonstrators in Brussels, Belgium. Demonstrators were participating in an anti-“Islamization of Europe” protest previously banned by Brussels Mayor Freddy Thielemans (Previous Report).
Outlook
Despite the three-month governmental hiatus, Belgium is no stranger to political turmoil. To this end, this is not the first time Belgium has faced the prospect of separation, nor will it likely be the last.
We believe reconciliation is the best outcome for all interested parties, as it will ensure the continuance of a unified economy, as well as the survival of the country’s diverse population and distinct culture.
An independent Flemish state would likely lead to devastation in the country’s French-speaking Wallonia as the region largely depends on its northern counterpart for economic support. However, it will likely be a difficult road ahead as a reported 43 percent of the country’s Dutch-speaking population continues to advocate an independent Dutch Flanders state.
