Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The families enjoying Ostend’s beaches last weekend did not seem overly concerned about Belgium’s potential political meltdown just a week away.
Some sipped from beer cans emblazoned with the national football team – one of the few things uniting the linguistically divided north and south, but unlikely to prevent a surge in support for separatist parties at tomorrow’s polls.
Ostend is in the Dutch-speaking province of Flanders, where 6.5 million Belgians live. They are increasingly at odds with the 4.5 million Francophones in southern Wallonia, which contributed to Belgium going a world record-beating 541 days without a government after the last elections in 2010.
That horse-trading ended with a six-party coalition excluding the main Flemish separatist party, the N-VA, and installing the socialist Elio Di Rupo, as Prime Minister. He has devolved more power to the regions, but N-VA’s support has grown. Belgium has suffered during the economic crisis, and many in richer Flanders feel they are supporting people in Wallonia, once the country’s industrial heartland.
The N-VA is expected to get the most votes, but not enough to form a government and push through devolution. This is stoking fears of another lengthy crisis as smaller parties fight to keep it out of power.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments