Belgium holds elections for a new parliament while simultaneously participating in European elections on a significant day.
Concurrently with the European elections, Belgians chose a new parliament on Sunday. The prime minister's incumbent coalition, led by Alexander De Croo, might lose its majority, according to surveys. Meanwhile, the Flemish far-right party, Vlaams Belang, is predicted to experience growth. A protracted process of government formation is anticipated post-election. Preliminary projections should emerge once polling stations closed at 4 PM.
Belgium's federal parliament is divided due to the electoral practices of most parties, which don't contest campaigns in the entire country but rather focus on specific regions. Consequently, the Chamber of Representatives is home to social democrats, greens, liberals, and Christian democrats from varying areas, not necessarily advocating the same viewpoints.
De Croo's government coalition encompasses social democrats, greens, liberals, and Christian democrats. At his voting location in Brakel, the Prime Minister advocated for additional reforms and endeavors to generate jobs. "We are more robust than before the crisis," he mentioned. Vlaams Belang could attain as many as 26 seats out of the 150 in the Chamber of Representatives and emerge as the dominant party. This political force aims for Flanders' separation and seeks to eliminate social benefits for migrants. "Belgium represents the past, whereas Flanders embodies the future," asserted party leader Tom van Grieken during his vote. "The Flemish inhabitants require a government that is Flemish and conservative."
Alliances with the far-right Vlaams Belang on a national scale appear unlikely since none of the other parties have considered such a coalition to date. The communist Belgian Workers' Party (PTB-PVDA) is also projected to secure 19 seats, as indicated by surveys. The PTB itself has declared that it will not participate in the government. Collectively, these two groups could constitute approximately one-third of the new parliament, potentially causing further complications in the government formation process. The polls predict declines, mainly for De Croo's Liberals and the Greens. To continue serving as Prime Minister for another 5 years, he may require the assistance of Walloon Christian Democrats or the right-nationalist New Flemish Alliance (N-VA).
Following the 2019 election, Belgium's coalition took 493 days to take shape. Experts do not dismiss the possibility that the previous unfavorable record from 2010, when it took 541 days between the election and the inauguration of the new government, will be surpassed. Additionally, local governing bodies were also elected on Sunday. 8.5 million citizens were summoned to vote. Unlike in Germany, voting is required in Belgium.
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The prime minister's coalition, which includes social democrats, greens, liberals, and Christian democrats, might face significant losses in the elections due to predictions of a decrease in support for De Croo's Liberals and the Greens. The Flemish far-right party, Vlaams Belang, is predicted to experience growth in the European elections, potentially becoming the dominant party in the Belgian Parliament with up to 26 seats. This political force advocates for Flanders' separation and seeks to eliminate social benefits for migrants, and they aim for a Flemish and conservative government.
