Separatist party wins big in Belgian election

We in the USA think our problems are the so huge, that our problems eclipse those of everyone else. "Plucky little Belgium" has been the site of ethnic conflict for many years: "Belgium (pronounced /ˈbɛldʒəm/ ( listen), BEL-jəm), officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in northwest Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters, as well as those of other major international organizations, including NATO.[5] Belgium covers an area of 30,528 square kilometres (11,787 sq mi), and it has a population of about 10.7 million people.

Straddling the cultural boundary between Germanic and Latin Europe, Belgium is home to two main linguistic groups, the Dutch-speakers, mostly Flemish, and the French-speakers, mostly Walloons, plus a small group of German-speakers. Belgium's two largest regions are the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders in the north and the French-speaking southern region of Wallonia. The Brussels-Capital Region, officially bilingual, is a mostly French-speaking enclave within the Flemish Region.[6] A small German-speaking Community exists in eastern Wallonia.[7] Belgium's linguistic diversity and related political and cultural conflicts are reflected in the political history and a complex system of government.[8][9]

The name 'Belgium' is derived from Gallia Belgica, a Roman province in the northernmost part of Gaul that was inhabited by the Belgae, a mix of Celtic and Germanic peoples.[10][11] Historically, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg were known as the Low Countries, which used to cover a somewhat larger area than the current Benelux group of states. From the end of the Middle Ages until the 17th century, it was a prosperous centre of commerce and culture. From the 16th century until the Belgian revolution in 1830, many battles between European powers were fought in the area of Belgium, causing it to be dubbed the battleground of Europe[12]—a reputation strengthened by both World Wars.

Upon its independence, Belgium eagerly participated in the Industrial Revolution[13][14] and, during the course of the twentieth century, possessed several colonies in Africa.[15] The second half of the 20th century was marked by the rise of communal conflicts between the Flemings and the Francophones fuelled by cultural differences on the one hand and an asymmetrical economic evolution of Flanders and Wallonia on the other hand. These still-active conflicts have caused far-reaching reforms of the formerly unitary Belgian state into a federal state".

Anyway, the call for separation is getting ever stronger. This is a small, very civilized country, that may well be torn asunder in the 21st. Century.



Separatist party wins big in Belgian election
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Jun 13, 6:00 PM (ET)

By ROBERT WIELAARD

BRUSSELS (AP) - A separatist party that advocates independence for the Dutch-speaking region of Belgium, leaving the country's Francophones to fend for themselves, scored an unprecedented win in Sunday's general election.

Final results gave the Dutch-speaking New Flemish Alliance - a fringe factor until now - 27 of the 150 legislative seats, up 19 from the 2007 vote.

The election outcome was seen as a clear warning to Francophones to negotiate seriously about granting Dutch- and French-speakers more self-rule, or Dutch-speakers will bolt.

The New Flemish Alliance drew votes away from Premier Yves Leterme's outgoing coalition of Christian Democrats, Liberals and Socialists - all split into Dutch- and French-speaking factions - whose three years in office were marked by enduring linguistic spats that remained unresolved.

The Alliance's success marked the first time a Flemish nationalist movement overtook traditional parties.

Belgium comprises Dutch-speaking Flanders in the north and French-speaking Wallonia in the south. Brussels, the officially bilingual but largely Francophone capital, is a third region.

Just about everything in Belgium - from political parties to broadcasters to boy scouts and voting ballots - comes in Dutch- and French-speaking versions.

Even charities such as the Red Cross and Amnesty International have separate chapters.

Bart De Wever, 39, leader of the New Flemish Alliance, urged "Francophones to make (a country) that works."

In the election campaign, he accused economically backward Wallonia of bad governance, immunity to reforms and opposition to the Flemish desire for more self-rule.

But if De Wever becomes premier of this country of 6.5 million Dutch- and 4 million French-speakers, he will head a coalition government that will inevitably force him to tone down his independence talk and negotiate for more regional self rule within Belgium.

True to tradition, the big winners in Wallonia were the Socialists who won 26 seats, up six. Their leader, Elio di Rupo, also a would-be premier, said: "Many Flemish people want the country's institutions reformed. We need to listen to that."

On Monday, King Albert is expected to begin talks with key politicians on what sort of government can be formed. In 2007, government formation lasted more than six months.

Constitutional reform has gone far. Flanders and Wallonia already have autonomy in urban development, environment, agriculture, employment, energy, culture, sports and other areas.

But Flemish parties want to add justice, health and social security to that. Wallonia fears making social security a federal responsibility marks the end of Belgium as a unitary state.

The divide goes beyond language.

Flanders tends to be conservative and free-trade minded. Wallonia's long-dominant Socialists have a record of corruption. Flanders has half the unemployment of Wallonia and a 25 percent higher per-capita income, and its politicians are tired of subsidizing their Francophone neighbors.

As governments worldwide tried to tame a financial crisis and recession, the four parties that led Belgium since 2007 struggled with linguistic spats, most notably over a bilingual voting district comprising the capital, Brussels, and 35 Flemish towns bordering it.

The high court ruled it illegal in 2003 as only Dutch is the official language in Flanders. Over the years, Francophones from Brussels have moved in large numbers to the city's leafy Flemish suburbs, where they are accused of refusing to learn Dutch and integrate