Belgium without government. A crisis, what crisis?

(B2) For three months — the elections took place on June 10 — Belgium has been without a new government, in what appears, at first glance, to be a major political stalemate between Flemings and Francophones. Is it really a crisis of the country? How does this Belgium that seems so close work and how do our Belgian friends experience this situation?

As the vision of Belgium in the French media is sometimes very superficial, here are some background elements on the situation in Belgium.

Is Belgium without a government?

No. Guy Verhofstadt, a Flemish liberal, still holds the post of Prime Minister at the head of his socialist and liberal coalition. The Government is "in current affairs" and it cannot propose any major reform. But he still has a relative majority in the Chamber of Deputies which allows him to manage the country effectively. It can thus send troops abroad (as it has just done for Chad).

Does Belgium really exist in history?

Yes. The imperium Caesar knows something about this, having taken several years to conquer this territory in the north of Gaul, and did not hesitate to say that “of all the peoples of Gaul, the Belgians are the bravest”. The “Gallia Belgica” took shape under Emperor Augustus. And very quickly, after Charlemagne, this territory was marked by three characteristics, still present today: the linguistic separation between two worlds - Latin and Germanic -, local autonomy - the inhabitants were grouped around their duke (Brabant, Luxembourg , Limbourg), count (Flanders, Hainaut, Namur), lord (Mechelen) or marquis (Antwerp) who allied themselves with the occupier or fought it in turn, but rarely together — and… permanent indocility!

This territory will never manage to be truly subdued by its successive masters: French, Burgundians, Spaniards, Austrians... goes barefoot" of the communal militias at the battle of the "golden spurs", still celebrated today in Flanders.

It was not until 1790 that the first independent Belgian state was born, in the wake of the French Revolution, before being reduced to nothing by the same French who annexed the country and divided it into departments. In 1830, a new revolution, Brussels, followed by most cities, freed itself from the Dutch occupier. Modern Belgium was born.

Today, is it a unitary country?

No. Belgium is a constitutionally federal country, with complex outlines for a Cartesian mind. The country comprises three regions, on a territorial division (Wallonia, Brussels, Flanders), and three communities (French-speaking, Flemish and German-speaking), corresponding to the three official languages ​​of the country. With the federal state, there are therefore seven parliaments. Which requires seven ratifications for a European treaty!

The powers are more or less precisely distributed. To the Regions, the economy, town planning… To the Communities, education (schools, universities…) or culture. To the Federal State, foreign affairs, defence, justice, general taxation, social security… Not forgetting the communes. The mayor has, in fact, much greater power than his French counterpart, particularly in terms of maintaining order, roughly exercising the combined powers of the mayor and the prefect.

How is a government formed?

Five political families share the votes of the Belgians: Christian Democrats, Socialists, Liberals, Ecologists, extreme right. With the linguistic border, that makes at least ten political parties, with very different programs. A Flemish Christian, conservative or nationalist, does not look at all like his Walloon counterpart, who is more center-left. This is the whole drama of the future coalition. And as with proportional representation, no party can claim to govern alone, it is necessary - on the evening of each election - to negotiate a government agreement, with two, three, four...

How do you negotiate a government?

Threats to slam the door, sweeping declarations are part of the classic Belgian gesture until the paroxysmal crisis and the final agreement. In Belgium, summarize the political scientists, " there is no agreement on anything until there is agreement on everything ". A formula never as verified as today.

What is the role of the King?

Its usually symbolic role is vital in times of crisis and after each election. It is up to him to appoint the "informant" who goes around the parties to see who wants to "go up" to the government, then the "trainer", responsible for negotiating a coalition agreement between the parties approached. Generally the trainer, who belongs to the majority party, becomes Prime Minister. But it is not compulsory. This role was up to now devolved to Yves Leterme, a Flemish Christian Democrat. But this one has just thrown in the towel. His role could be taken over by a Flemish-French-speaking tandem.

What coalitions are possible?

For 80 days, an alliance between Liberals and Democrats has been sought. But other coalitions could also be possible. A bit poetic, the Belgians call this alliance “Blue Orange”, or “Jamaica” if the Greens join it. For a PS and Christian Democrat coalition we would speak of a “Red-Roman”, and if we add a touch of green of an “Olive tree”.
As for the alliance that has governed Belgium since 1999, between socialists and liberals, it is the “Violette”, known as “Rainbow” with the Greens.

What do the Flemings want?

The political parties want much greater autonomy for the regions – road safety, employment, part of the justice system – and leave only residual powers (diplomacy and defence) to the federal state. Actually a confederation instead of a federation. The Walloons rather want a status quo.

Are Belgians bilingual?

No. Contrary to popular belief, Belgium is not a bilingual country. Three languages ​​are spoken in the country: German in the German-speaking region (to the east, included in Wallonia), French in Wallonia, Dutch (Flemish) in Flanders. It is only in Brussels that bilingualism, the two main languages ​​– Flemish and French – are compulsory.

The agglomeration of one million inhabitants is the only one really where the two communities live together. In Wallonia, only French is spoken, except in the German-speaking part. And in Flanders, it's Dutch. Moreover, the Wllons speak very little Flemish. The Flemings speak more French, but this learning tends to decrease in favor of English.

Are the differences between Flemings and Walloons significant?

Yes. In fact, there are already two countries that live at their own pace. Everyone has their own newspapers, without television channels, their political parties, their singers, their personalities… The economic situation is very different. Flanders is richer and with an unemployment rate of 4%, it is difficult to hire. While in Wallonia, the unemployment rate is still in double digits. 15% on average, 20% in certain affected regions such as Charleroi.

Is the feeling of separatism alive in the country?

No. Paradoxically, the whole atmosphere of separatism is more driven by politicians and the media. It is more powerful in the north of the country - where the very present Vlaams Belang (extreme right) or the NVA (Flemish populist) militate for an independent republic - than in the French-speaking south where the Movement for the attachment to France is very minority.

Is separation then possible?

Very delicate in fact. The main difficulty is: what to do with Brussels, which represents a tenth of the population. The capital of the country, of the European Union, but also of Flanders, is geographically surrounded by Flemish territory, but is mainly populated (90%) by French speakers, and the European headquarters of many companies...

How are the Belgians on the street following this crisis?

Far enough, for now. We talk about it in the lines at the supermarket, often with irony, but without arousing the anxiety and emotion of a Dutroux affair, certain racist acts or the joy of a victory for Justine Hénin at Rolland Garros or... the birth of the children of the royal family!

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)