The Belgian people went to the polls on 13 June 2010 and produced a surprising result that could plunge the country into turmoil.
The New Flemish Alliance Wins the 2010 Belgian General Election
The New Flemish Alliance (NVA), a Flemish separatist party, has become the largest party in Belgian parliament. Of the 150 seats in Belgium's Chamber of Representatives, the NVA won 27 of them.
The NVA's main aim is for the northern part of Belgium, Flanders, to be independent. It is believed that the NVA's fine showing can be attributed to the anger of the 6.5 million Flemish people who reside in Flanders.
Their anger stems from the government's willingness to aid the southern part of Belgium, Wallonia, which is also the poorer region of the country, as well as the fragility of the Belgian economy.
Coalitions Talks to Begin in Belgium
Many analysts are predicting a long negotiation period before a coalition government is formed. If history is anything to go by then that would certainly be the case. In 2007 it was nearly 200 days before a deal was reached, and even then it didn't succeed.
The problem this time around is the fact that the NVA hold the most seats, yet their political views are seen as somewhat extreme. If a coalition is to succeed then Marc Swyngedouw, Professor at the Catholic University of Leuven, says, "They (the NVA) have scored a huge election victory, but what they must do now is find a compromise."
Bart De Wever, the leader of the NVA, may have to change his rhetoric on independence. De Wever, however, stated that he will support a Prime Minister from Wallonia as long as more powers are transferred to Flanders.
The Two Socialist Parties of Belgium
The Socialist Party (PS) from Wallonia also had a good election with 26 seats, six more than in the 2007 election. Belgium's other socialist party, the Socialist Party - Differently, represent Flanders and they won 13 seats.
It's possible that the two parties could come together and form the largest bloc in parliament. If that were to happen then the leader of the PS, Elio Di Rupo, would likely become the country's first French-speaking Primer Minister since 1974.
Belgium: A Country Divided
Belgium has long been a country divided into two. The Dutch-speaking Flanders and French-speaking Wallonia have long been at loggerheads, usually over language. Only in the bilingual capital, Brussels, do the two languages co-exist. Although, Brussels is predominantly French-speaking, despite being an enclave in Flanders.
The Flemish people feel as though the Walloons unfairly benefit from a system that gives them an equal say in governmental affairs when they only make up 40 per cent of the country's population.
With economic difficulties, language barriers and hundreds of thousands without a job it is now upto the politicians to come together for the good of Belgium, not for their own specific regions. If they don't then the prospect of Belgium splitting becomes a very real one.
References:
BBC News: Belgium's Flemish separatists make big election gains
Reuters: Analyst's View: Flemish separatists set for Belgian election win
Luke Broadbent - I am 21-years-old and live in West Bromwich, England. My writing endeavours have usually been been in the area of sport. I have produced ...
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