Failed Nation of Belgium

By Douglas V. Gibbs

Belgium is now joining the rapidly growing list of failed socialist nations in Europe. The liberal politics in Belgium, like in her European counterparts, is showing the world that progressive policies fail wherever they are tried. But in the case of Belgium, there is an additional variable that could quite literally rip the country into two.

The country is dominated by two national communities - the Flemish and Walloon (French). The Flemish are a little less socialist than the southern French-speaking population, and the battle between the two has literally left Belgium without a functioning government for six months.

The Dutch-speaking Flanders region in the north is demanding greater autonomy, accusing the socialist-led French-speakers of the south of clinging too much to entitlement madness, and foolishly blocking sensible reforms that may save Belgium from joining Greece, Portugal, Italy, Ireland and Spain on the list of failing European economies.

“This is why I say that Belgium no longer works. It is a nation that has failed,” the nationalist leader from Flanders told German Der Spiegel in an interview.

The independence-minded Dutch triumphed in the June elections, campaigning on fiscal responsibility and greater autonomy for Flanders. “We are for solidarity, including financially. But if we disburse money to Wallonia, it must be done under normal conditions,” the northern Dutch leader told the magazine. “This money cannot be an injection like a drug for a junkie.”

“The problem is that the king still plays a political role,” he continued. “For us Flemings, this poses a problem because the king does not think like us. For Walloons, it is an advantage because they are allied with him.”

The national debt, and the costs of that borrowing, has crippled the economy in Belgium. The nation without a government is considering, through protracted negotiations, the possibility of the break-up of Belgium, a country founded in 1831 that is home to 10 million people and the headquarters of the European Union and NATO.

In the Flemish regions, a separatist sentiment is growing. If the liberal government does not decentralize soon, and reduce its deficit spending on economy crippling social programs, the split of Belgium may become a reality.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary

Belgium has been virtually canceled - Pravda

Belgium joins financial markets' hit list - Guardian U.K.

The political crisis in Belgium : More than 170 days without any government - State of Israel

‘Failed’ Belgium marks six months without government - Aurora Baha