Separatism revised
The Flemish nationalists get a first taste of government, with uncertain results
JUST five months after May’s election Belgium has a new government. Set against the 18 months that it took in 2010, that is fast work. Charles Michel, the 38-year-old leader of the French-speaking liberals, will lead a four-way coalition consisting of his party, the Flemish liberals, the Flemish Christian Democrats and—for the first time—the Flemish nationalist N-VA party. As the largest party, the N-VA, led by its bullish leader, Bart De Wever, is now Belgium’s dominant political force. And that shreds nerves among those fearful of the country’s possible break-up.
This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “Separatism revised”
From the October 11th 2014 edition
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