Were it not for The Brussels Journal and Gates of Vienna, I probably would not have known about the current situation in Belgium and how a similar situation could take place throughout Europe.
The simple truth is this: Since the nation's general elections on June 10th, a majority government has not been formed yet. The cause of the impasse has been the rift between Belgium's two major language speaking groups: Flanders (the Dutch speakers) and Wallonia (the French speakers). So far, it still seems like business as usual in Belgium, but tension continues to mount.
Two possible scenarios can occur from this: Either Belgium sees a resolution reached that insures the formation of a majority government, or the nation's political and, perhaps, geographical structure will change.
The far-reaching implication in the latter scenario becoming reality would concern the fate of the European Union. Since Brussels is the seat of this miniature UN, and Belgium is seen as the heart of what makes it, a political and geographical restructuring in Belgium could reverberate throughout the whole of the Union. In other words, what could happen today in Belgium could happen tomorrow in Europe.
Paul Belien of The Brussels Journal has the story and additional links. For me, an independent Flanders doesn't sound like a bad idea. I've always sympathized with those who want independence. Must be the American in me.
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