Voters in Belgium surprised pollsters by handing a victory to the conservative Flemish nationalist party, the New Flemish Alliance, in the national elections. This party seeks greater autonomy for the Dutch-speaking northern half of Belgium. The results showed that the New Flemish Alliance was set to secure 22 percent of the national vote, while the far-right party Vlaams Belang trailed with 17 percent. This outcome was unexpected and brought relief to the country’s political establishment, which had been bracing for a victory by Vlaams Belang.
The rise of Vlaams Belang, a separatist and staunchly anti-immigrant party, would have presented a challenge for mainstream parties in Belgium. The strong showing by Vlaams Belang, despite not winning the election, will make it difficult to isolate the party politically. Vlaams Belang’s success comes as far-right parties across Europe are surging in elections. Belgium, a country divided along linguistic lines between its French-speaking south and Dutch-speaking north, has long navigated its differences with a federal system that gives autonomy to its regions.
The New Flemish Alliance’s victory in the elections may lead to post-election negotiations centered around increasing regional autonomy in Belgium. The party wants to negotiate a far-reaching overhaul of the country’s government system, which may conflict with Vlaams Belang’s call for an independent Flanders. Vlaams Belang wants to divide Belgium and create a separate country in Flanders. However, it is unlikely that the two Flemish nationalist parties will join forces due to the vow by other Belgian parties not to govern with Vlaams Belang, which may keep them out of power at a national level.
Belgium’s complex state structure makes voting a challenging task due to the need to fill seats in multiple Parliaments. With Wallonia leaning left and Flanders leaning right, political forces in Belgium have struggled to unite at a national level, often leading to lengthy negotiations to form governments. The surge in support for Vlaams Belang in recent elections has further complicated the political landscape in Belgium, with the far-right party’s success shrinking the political center.
The results of the 2020 elections in Belgium highlight the ongoing challenges facing the country in managing its linguistic and regional differences. The country’s system of government, which gives autonomy to its regions, has allowed for diverse political parties to exist and compete for power. The outcome of the elections, with the New Flemish Alliance leading in the vote count, indicates a potential shift towards greater autonomy for Flanders. However, the presence of parties like Vlaams Belang, which advocate for more radical measures like Flanders’ independence, adds complexity to the political landscape in Belgium.
