Highlights
– Would-be Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme presents resignation to King Albert II
– Belgium remains in deadlock; unity at significant risk
– Long road ahead to reconciliation
On December 2, 2007, following the collapse of marathon talks to form a coalition government, would-be Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme ultimately admitted defeat in his efforts to create a coalition government. Leterme handed his resignation to Belgian King Albert II after nearly six months of fruitless talks with potential coalition partners from the Dutch-speaking Flanders region and French-speaking Walloon region.
As we previously reported, arising victorious in Belgium’s June 2007 national elections, Yves Leterme and his Flemish Christian Democrats, have continued to advocate greater autonomy for Belgium’s two regions, placing an emphasis on an independent Flemish state (Previous Report).
As the political crisis deepens, Belgium’s unity hangs in the balance. Belgium has spent 174 days in the absence of a new government, a troublesome situation in a country so divided. The political deadlock places Belgium at significant risk of division. We believe reconciliation is the best outcome for all interested parties, as it will likely ensure the continuance of a strong unified economy, as well as the survival of the country’s diverse population and distinct culture (Previous Report). However, achieving this type of agreement will be difficult in the near to mid-term.
Coalition Talks Fail
As we previously reported, a crisis over the fate of the country developed following the nation’s national elections in June 2007 (Previous Report). Yves Leterme, leader of the Flemish Christian Democrat party, claimed victory at the country’s national parliamentary elections, however, seen as a divisive figure, amid intense political wrangling, in August 2007, Leterme officially stepped down from the electoral race. In the meantime, Belgium has been under the direction of a caretaker government.
Six months after winning the election on a two-party platform Belgium Liberals and Christian Democrats have failed to form a coalition government. On December 2, 2007, amid an intensifying political deadlock, Dutch and Francophone politicians blamed each other for the collapse of six months of talks, revealing the marked differences in the two linguistic camps view of a mutual future. The talks ran aground culminating in would-be Prime Minister, Yves Leterme’s official resignation and admission of failure to King Albert II.
Dutch-Speakers Seek Division
Signs of increasing tensions and dissatisfaction between the French-speaking Walloons and Dutch-speaking Flemish are evident throughout the country. Flanders residents are angered over increasing instances of subsidizing high levels of unemployment in the Francophone south, leading to anger and resentment among the affluent Flemish population. Should Flanders gain independence, it would be among the wealthiest nations in the European Union. Francophone Wallonia would become one of the poorest.
Reconciliation is Long Time Coming
Despite the six-month governmental hiatus, Belgium is no stranger to identity crisis and subsequent political unrest. 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 strong unified economy, as well as the survival of Belgium’s diverse population and distinct culture.
However, short of a substantial change in the mindset of separatist Flemish leaders, it will likely be a long and difficult road ahead as a reported 43 percent of the country’s Dutch-speaking population continues to rally for an independent Dutch Flanders state.
