HARDLINE FLEMISH separatists declared victory in the Belgian election last night, setting up difficult coalition talks with Socialists who prevailed in the French-speaking part of the linguistically-divided country.
Based on partial results, public broadcaster VRT forecast that the New Flemish Alliance party led by Bart De Wever was on its way to winning about 30 of 150 legislative seats in parliament. The Socialist party, led by Elio Di Rupo, was likely to take 26 seats, up from 20 three years ago.
With the Flemish Christian Democrats of outgoing prime minister Yves Leterme facing a seven-seat loss to 16 and French-speaking liberals projected to lose six seats, the stage for is set for prolonged talks over the formation of a government.
De Wever and Di Rupo sent conciliatory signals to each other as votes were counted last night, although De Wever’s demand for a gradual separation of Dutch-speaking Flanders from French-speaking Wallonia and Di Rupo’s leftist economic policy present immediate problems to negotiators.
Amid growing Flemish claims that the poorer Wallonia is an unfair drag on prosperous Flanders, the surge in support for the N-VA was accompanied by a forecast 12.5 per cent vote for the far-right separatists Vlaams Belgang.
In an effort to jumpstart coalition talks, however, De Wever last night ruled himself out of contention to take the post of prime minister. “The job of prime minister for me is not important, the key is to get a deal,” he said on television.
“If it helps the Francophones to trust us, I’m happy to make that sacrifice.” If Di Rupo becomes prime minister, it would be the first time in decades that a French-speaker would take charge of the Belgian government. Analysts agree, however, that De Wever will drive a very hard bargain with demands for far-reaching devolution of powers to the Belgian regions.
At a rally in central Brussels, he expressed a desire for friendship with his compatriots who view his strongly nationalist agenda with great suspicion.
“We have to realise that 70 per cent of Flanders did not vote for us, so starting today we have to work to build bridges,” he said.
“We have to extent our hand to the French-speaking people because no one can benefit when the country is blocked completely.” Mr Di Rupo said the result in Flanders gave a “strong signal”, add that the “message should be heard” for the stability of Belgium. He also said, however, that the country needs a “solid federal government.” Government formation in Belgium is notoriously volatile. Talks continued for almost 300 days after the inconclusive 2007 election. But politicians of all hues acknowledge Belgium has little time to lose.
With a public debt of 96.7 per cent of gross domestic product, the country is coming under pressure to follow several other euro members down the path of austerity. Belgium is also set to assume the EU’s rotating presidency on July 1st.