scarletghoul
14th June 2010, 19:19
The Belgian election results are in. Reactionary Flemish nationalists have won the most seats, but will have to form a coalition.
Also, the workers party has hugely increased its vote compared to a few years ago
Workers Party of Belgium makes big advances
By Workers Party of Belgium |
June 13, 2010
Read more articles in Europe
Fight Back News Service has translated and is circulating the following article from the Workers Party of Belgium’s (PTB) press service on the recent election in Belgium. The rightist, reactionary New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), which advocates the breakup of Belgium, scored major gains in this election.
PTB+ leaping in Wallonia and in Brussels, and growing in Flanders
“We are happy about the leap of the PTB+ everywhere in Brussels and in Wallonia” stated Raoul Hedebouw, spokesperson of the PTB+. “The PTB+ is also progressing in Flanders, especially in Antwerps, despite the huge success of the N-VA.”. As example the PTB+ obtained 4.2% of the votes in the county of Liège, 4.1% in Antwerps and 2% in Brussels area.
--PTB+ press service
“We are grateful to all the voters whom entrusted us. According to the first results we would be tripling our votes in Wallonia and in Brussels compared to 2007 and we would grow by 50% in Flanders,” added the spokesperson of the left party. “A left protest vote has been expressed towards the four big French speaking parties. With this result we are going to continue playing our role as a mosquito and be on the alert concerning cut plans to come and the political crisis the country is likely to face.”
“It is even more important to underline the signal given by the votes for the PTB+ in the city of Antwerps and in Flanders given the context of shifting to the right and nationalism.” says Peter Mertens, president of the PTB+. “Of course the score of the N-VA are alarming. The risk of the country being immersed in a month’s long deep crisis is even more dangerous given the context of an economical crisis of unseen proportions. History showed us where the mix of crisis and nationalism could lead to. With our party we want to resist that. We want to build bridges between the two communities with our national and bilingual party.”
Raoul Hedebouw, candidate for the House for Liège province stresses that results of the PTB+ for the province are above 3%. “With such results on the province level, it becomes possible to have one representative after the next national or regional elections. And with 4.2% for the Liège county, we could have our first City Council member by 2012.” Thanks to a 4.1% score Peter Mertens could become the first PTB+ Council member by 2012 in Antwerps, the largest city of Flanders.
http://www.fightbacknews.org/2010/6/13/workers-party-belgium-makes-big-advances
Belgium's Flemish separatists make big election gains
Bart De Wever Bart De Wever's ultimate aim is Flemish independence
Belgium's Flemish separatist party, the New Flemish Alliance (NVA), has emerged as the largest force in parliament, with coalition talks set to start.
The NVA, whose ultimate aim is independence for Flanders, Belgium's northern half, took 27 of 150 seats.
The Socialists from the southern half, Wallonia, came second.
Correspondents say lengthy coalition talks could undermine efforts to control Belgium's debt and overshadow its upcoming EU presidency.
Belgium's King Albert was expected to start consulting party leaders on Monday, on the prospects for forming a new government.
Desire for change
Some analysts believe the next coalition will take in as many as eight parties, the BBC's Dominic Hughes in Brussels reports.
Such a coalition might force the NVA leader Bart De Wever to tone down his nationalist rhetoric.
His supporters chanted: "Long Live a Free Flanders" as the result became clear on Sunday night.
Support for his party surged, increasing its representation in the lower house of parliament by 19 seats, according to near-complete results.
However, the Socialist party from French-speaking Wallonia also gained seats - giving it an expected total of 26. Combined with the Socialists from Dutch-speaking Flanders, it would form the largest bloc in parliament.
The party's leader, Elio Di Rupo, could therefore become the first French-speaking prime minister since 1974.
Mr De Wever said he would be prepared to back a Walloon as prime minister if that would bring more powers to Flanders.
"You don't have to like each other to work together," he said.
Mr Di Rupo acknowledged that the Flemish majority had "manifestly" voted for "institutional change".
The result is a significant loss for Premier Yves Leterme's coalition of Christian Democrats, Liberals and Socialists.
His government collapsed in April over a long-standing dispute about voting rights in municipalities around Brussels, and the election was brought forward by one year.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/10303179.stm
Also, the workers party has hugely increased its vote compared to a few years ago
Workers Party of Belgium makes big advances
By Workers Party of Belgium |
June 13, 2010
Read more articles in Europe
Fight Back News Service has translated and is circulating the following article from the Workers Party of Belgium’s (PTB) press service on the recent election in Belgium. The rightist, reactionary New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), which advocates the breakup of Belgium, scored major gains in this election.
PTB+ leaping in Wallonia and in Brussels, and growing in Flanders
“We are happy about the leap of the PTB+ everywhere in Brussels and in Wallonia” stated Raoul Hedebouw, spokesperson of the PTB+. “The PTB+ is also progressing in Flanders, especially in Antwerps, despite the huge success of the N-VA.”. As example the PTB+ obtained 4.2% of the votes in the county of Liège, 4.1% in Antwerps and 2% in Brussels area.
--PTB+ press service
“We are grateful to all the voters whom entrusted us. According to the first results we would be tripling our votes in Wallonia and in Brussels compared to 2007 and we would grow by 50% in Flanders,” added the spokesperson of the left party. “A left protest vote has been expressed towards the four big French speaking parties. With this result we are going to continue playing our role as a mosquito and be on the alert concerning cut plans to come and the political crisis the country is likely to face.”
“It is even more important to underline the signal given by the votes for the PTB+ in the city of Antwerps and in Flanders given the context of shifting to the right and nationalism.” says Peter Mertens, president of the PTB+. “Of course the score of the N-VA are alarming. The risk of the country being immersed in a month’s long deep crisis is even more dangerous given the context of an economical crisis of unseen proportions. History showed us where the mix of crisis and nationalism could lead to. With our party we want to resist that. We want to build bridges between the two communities with our national and bilingual party.”
Raoul Hedebouw, candidate for the House for Liège province stresses that results of the PTB+ for the province are above 3%. “With such results on the province level, it becomes possible to have one representative after the next national or regional elections. And with 4.2% for the Liège county, we could have our first City Council member by 2012.” Thanks to a 4.1% score Peter Mertens could become the first PTB+ Council member by 2012 in Antwerps, the largest city of Flanders.
http://www.fightbacknews.org/2010/6/13/workers-party-belgium-makes-big-advances
Belgium's Flemish separatists make big election gains
Bart De Wever Bart De Wever's ultimate aim is Flemish independence
Belgium's Flemish separatist party, the New Flemish Alliance (NVA), has emerged as the largest force in parliament, with coalition talks set to start.
The NVA, whose ultimate aim is independence for Flanders, Belgium's northern half, took 27 of 150 seats.
The Socialists from the southern half, Wallonia, came second.
Correspondents say lengthy coalition talks could undermine efforts to control Belgium's debt and overshadow its upcoming EU presidency.
Belgium's King Albert was expected to start consulting party leaders on Monday, on the prospects for forming a new government.
Desire for change
Some analysts believe the next coalition will take in as many as eight parties, the BBC's Dominic Hughes in Brussels reports.
Such a coalition might force the NVA leader Bart De Wever to tone down his nationalist rhetoric.
His supporters chanted: "Long Live a Free Flanders" as the result became clear on Sunday night.
Support for his party surged, increasing its representation in the lower house of parliament by 19 seats, according to near-complete results.
However, the Socialist party from French-speaking Wallonia also gained seats - giving it an expected total of 26. Combined with the Socialists from Dutch-speaking Flanders, it would form the largest bloc in parliament.
The party's leader, Elio Di Rupo, could therefore become the first French-speaking prime minister since 1974.
Mr De Wever said he would be prepared to back a Walloon as prime minister if that would bring more powers to Flanders.
"You don't have to like each other to work together," he said.
Mr Di Rupo acknowledged that the Flemish majority had "manifestly" voted for "institutional change".
The result is a significant loss for Premier Yves Leterme's coalition of Christian Democrats, Liberals and Socialists.
His government collapsed in April over a long-standing dispute about voting rights in municipalities around Brussels, and the election was brought forward by one year.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/10303179.stm