Challenge to Belgium’s Existence? Tom Van Grieken’s Vlaams Belang and the Drive for Flemish Independence

Van Grieken’s campaign rhetoric, which downplays issues like gender identity and environmentalists concerns as distractions, has resonated with many Flemish voters by focusing on economic anxieties and nationalist sentiments.

During a campaign speech in a pub south of Brussels, Van Grieken highlighted what he believes is a growing concern among Flemish citizens: “What more and more Flemish people are worried about is not the end of the world, but the end of the month!”

His anti-migration, anti-environmentalist stance, and critique of liberal social policies have bolstered his party’s popularity, setting the stage for a significant electoral victory in the national, regional, and European elections.

Vlaams Belang’s ascendance threatens the unity of Belgium, a small Benelux country with a complex political structure. Belgium’s governance is divided among a federal government, three language communities (Flemish, French-speaking, and German), and three regions (Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels).

Flanders, being the wealthier region, contributes more to the national budget through federal mechanisms like social security. This financial imbalance has been a point of contention, with Vlaams Belang advocating for Flemish independence to retain its resources within the region.

The party’s rise is set against the backdrop of Belgium’s challenging political landscape, which is marked by a deep divide between Francophone and Flemish communities.

The current federal government is a coalition of seven parties, a reflection of the country’s intricate political dynamics. Belgium holds the record for the longest period without a government, having taken 541 days to form a coalition in 2010-2011.

Unlike other far-right movements across Europe, Vlaams Belang’s ultimate goal is the separation of Flanders from the French-speaking, left-leaning Wallonia.

Van Grieken’s supporters reflect the party’s growing appeal, with projections suggesting Vlaams Belang could become Belgium’s largest party, garnering around 26 percent of the Flemish vote.

Van Grieken’s platform extends beyond opposition to immigration. It taps into concerns about security and rising living costs, linking these issues to a broader separatist agenda.

“Flemish money should first and foremost go to Flemish families!” Tom Van Grieken proclaimed, a statement that resonated with his audience.

Belgium, a founding member of the European Union and host to major EU institutions and NATO headquarters, faces significant implications if Vlaams Belang’s secession plans succeed.

A split would reverberate across Europe, potentially inspiring other regions with separatist ambitions, such as Scotland and Catalonia, despite their past failures to achieve independence.

Vlaams Belang envisions an “orderly separation” similar to the peaceful split of Czechoslovakia into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1992.

The process would begin with a declaration of sovereignty by the Flemish Parliament, compelling Wallonia to negotiate the terms of separation, including the division of national assets and debt. If no agreement is reached within five years, Flanders would unilaterally declare independence.

However, this plan is met with widespread scepticism outside Vlaams Belang. Political analyst Carl Devos from Ghent University dismissed the feasibility of such a separation within five years, citing the complexities of national debt, social security, and the status of Brussels.

Van Grieken’s potential ally in the push for independence is the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), led by Bart De Wever.

Although N-VA also advocates for Flemish independence, De Wever has criticised Vlaams Belang’s strategy, warning of chaos similar to the Catalan crisis. He suggests a more gradual transformation into a confederal state with minimal national powers.

Despite these challenges, Van Grieken remains undeterred. He likens his mission to that of Jordan Bardella of France’s National Rally, aiming to break the social and political barriers that have kept Vlaams Belang from power.

His appeal, particularly among young voters, and the party’s significant social media presence have gradually eroded the

Tom Van Grieken appealing to young voters via TikTok

taboo on supporting the far-right.

Yet, Vlaams Belang’s path to power is obstructed by the cordon sanitaire, a tradition among Belgian political parties to exclude the group due to its extreme positions and alleged associations with racism.

This barrier, coupled with the party’s alleged controversial ties to foreign regimes and hardline stances on issues like LGBTQ+ rights, complicates its ability to form a governing coalition.

As the elections approach, Van Grieken’s objective is clear: to increase Vlaams Belang’s influence and challenge the established political order.

His call to make “Flanders ours again” resonates strongly with his supporters, reflecting a deep-seated desire for autonomy and change within the region.

Whether this translates into a seismic shift in Belgian politics remains to be seen.

Main image: Wikipedia

Read also:

European Greens Urge Liberals & Conservatives “To Stop Flirting & Working With The Far Right.”