The Far Right is Growing – Wants to Divide Belgium in Two

Six years will Belgium celebrate 200 years of independence - if the country still exists. After this weekend's election, the next prime minister could be a Flemish separatist.

» Updated: July 16 2024

» Published: June 08 2024

The Far Right is Growing – Wants to Divide Belgium in Two
Photo: Wiktor Nummelin/TT

Belgium will celebrate 200 years of independence in six years' time – if the country still exists.

After this weekend's election, the next prime minister could be a Flemish separatist.

The successes of anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders in the Netherlands are being repeated south of the border. In Belgium's parliamentary election on Sunday, the strongly anti-immigration far-right party Vlaams Belang is expected to become the largest – not just in the Flemish region but throughout the country.

The French-speaking Wallonia is not at all interested in a split. Instead, the left-wing party PTB is expected to make significant gains there.

The growing extremism will make it difficult to form a government. Belgium is used to having very broad coalitions to get a majority. This time, Flanders' second-largest separatist party, NVA, will likely have to play a major role in forming a government.

Perhaps NVA leader Bart De Wever could even become the new prime minister – especially since his party is now toning down its old demands for independence.

Belgium is linguistically and politically divided between the Dutch-speaking Flanders in the north and the French-speaking Wallonia in the south. Almost all political parties are regional rather than national, which means there is a liberal party in Flanders (VLD) and one in Wallonia (MR), and so on.

In the national parliament, there are 87 members from Flanders, 48 from Wallonia, and 15 from the multilingual capital region of Brussels. The current government is a seven-party coalition of liberals, social democrats, and environmental parties from both sides, as well as the Flemish Christian Democrats.

Sunday – parallel to the EU election – Belgium is holding elections for both the national parliament and regional councils in Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels.

Tags

TTT
By TT - Translated and adapted by Sweden Herald under license from TT

More news

Car Workers Question Impact of
5 MIN READ

Car Workers Question Impact of Trump's Tariffs on Jobs

Elon Musk's Growing Family: Inside
3 MIN READ

Elon Musk's Growing Family: Inside the Secret Paternity Agreements

Prominent Tunisian Critics Sentenced to
1 MIN READ

Prominent Tunisian Critics Sentenced to Lengthy Prison Terms

US Supreme Court Halts Venezuelan
1 MIN READ

US Supreme Court Halts Venezuelan Deportations After ACLU Appeal

Iran and US Engage in
2 MIN READ

Iran and US Engage in Critical Nuclear Talks in Rome

Milei's Economic Plan: Argentina Eyes
4 MIN READ

Milei's Economic Plan: Argentina Eyes Strongest Growth in 30 Years

Genre image
1 MIN READ

USA Considers Recognizing Crimea as Russian in Peace Deal Talks

Senator Van Hollen Criticizes El
2 MIN READ

Senator Van Hollen Criticizes El Salvador's "Margarita-gate" Stunt

Hezbollah Leader Qassem Vows to
2 MIN READ

Hezbollah Leader Qassem Vows to Retain Arms Despite Pressure

USA to Relocate 1,000 Troops
1 MIN READ

USA to Relocate 1,000 Troops from Syria in Coming Months

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Congo River Boat Fire Leaves 148 Dead, Over 100 Still Missing

Asean Calls on Myanmar Junta
1 MIN READ

Asean Calls on Myanmar Junta to Honor Ceasefire After Earthquake

Judge Blocks Trump's Plan to
1 MIN READ

Judge Blocks Trump's Plan to Cut CFPB Workforce

Australian Fighter for Ukraine Faces
1 MIN READ

Australian Fighter for Ukraine Faces Mercenary Charges in Luhansk

Venice Doubles Tourist Day-Trip Fee
2 MIN READ

Venice Doubles Tourist Day-Trip Fee for Non-Overnight Visitors

Trials Begin for Nearly 200
2 MIN READ

Trials Begin for Nearly 200 Critics of Turkish Regime Protests

Iran Nuclear Talks in Rome
2 MIN READ

Iran Nuclear Talks in Rome Face Doubts and Threats

Ukraine Receives Remains of Over
1 MIN READ

Ukraine Receives Remains of Over 900 Fallen Soldiers

Veterans and Reservists Rally to
2 MIN READ

Veterans and Reservists Rally to End Gaza Conflict

Genre image
2 MIN READ

Norway's Largest Robbery Figure Found Dead in Oslo Forest

EU Expansion: Hungary's Block Delays
3 MIN READ

EU Expansion: Hungary's Block Delays Ukraine and Moldova Membership

New Russian Attacks on Ukraine
2 MIN READ

New Russian Attacks on Ukraine Leave 11 Dead, Over 100 Injured

China Refutes Claims of Supplying
1 MIN READ

China Refutes Claims of Supplying Weapons to Russia

Severe Weather in Italy Claims
2 MIN READ

Severe Weather in Italy Claims Three Lives, Triggers State of Emergency

Trump Warns of Exiting Ukraine
2 MIN READ

Trump Warns of Exiting Ukraine Talks if Progress Stalls

Florida School Shooter Identified as
1 MIN READ

Florida School Shooter Identified as Having Norwegian Background

EU Officials Use Disposable Phones
1 MIN READ

EU Officials Use Disposable Phones for US Trips Over Spy Concerns

Israel's Blockade Leaves Gaza Residents
3 MIN READ

Israel's Blockade Leaves Gaza Residents Facing Severe Hunger Crisis

Israeli Strikes on Gaza Leave
1 MIN READ

Israeli Strikes on Gaza Leave 15 Dead, Including Family in Khan Yunis

US Airstrikes in Yemen Kill
2 MIN READ

US Airstrikes in Yemen Kill 74, Injure 171, Houthi Movement Reports

Trump Plans UK Visit to
1 MIN READ

Trump Plans UK Visit to Meet King Charles This Autumn

Luigi Mangione Faces Federal Murder
1 MIN READ

Luigi Mangione Faces Federal Murder Charges in CEO's Death

Two Killed, Five Injured in
1 MIN READ

Two Killed, Five Injured in Florida State University Shooting

Red Cross Building in Gaza
1 MIN READ

Red Cross Building in Gaza Damaged by Explosion, ICRC Expresses Outrage

Ukraine Talks to Continue in
2 MIN READ

Ukraine Talks to Continue in London Next Week Following Paris Meeting

USA and Ukraine Set to
1 MIN READ

USA and Ukraine Set to Finalize Mineral Agreement Next Thursday