The RTBF (French-speaking Belgian equivalent of the BBC) broacasted a very special news report tonight, claiming that Flanders had become independent from the rest of Belgium (i.e. Wallonia and Brussels). This was of course a joke, but it wasn't annouced until about 30min after it had started. The programme last 1h30min, with the usual newscaster, fake videos of people brandishing Flemish flags, while some French speakers carried Belgian flags in front of the Royal Palace. They claimed that the king had left the country and that the Flemings had to decide soon whether they chose Princess Astrid as their new Queen or if they wanted a republic.
The debate included politicians from Flanders, Brussels and Wallonia. It was accompanied by numerous (phone or SMS) reactions from the audience, as well as opinion polls on the issue of separatism.
The Flemish position
It is common knowledge that a big portion of Flemish people, and even more so Flemish politicians, favour either more autonomy for the 3 regions of Belgium, confederalism or the outright separartion of Flanders. The reason are mainly economical. The Flemish economy is more healthy, with higher revenues and a (much) lower unemployment. Many Flemings resent having to foot the social security bill of Wallonia, given the extreme generosity of the unemployment benefits in Belgium and the fact that Wallonia couldn't support its social security system without the "solidarity of Flanders".
The Flemish are less emotionally attached to the Belgian identity, for instance to the Belgian flag (a rare sight in Flanders where the Flemish flag is everywhere), the national anthem or the monarchy. In fact, many Flemings are anti-monarchist. As they said in the debate, "Belgium" is not a value in itself in Flanders anymore.
The Flemings have a very practical attitude to things. If the country splits, most of them will be indifferent, and will continue their life as if nothing happened. The only times they really feel Belgian are :
- when they travel abroad and are asked where they come from, because there is more chance than people know Belgium than Flanders
- in sports, e.g. to support the Belgian football team, or our national tennis champions.
- for the cultural and historical heritage
This is also true of French speakers.
Most Flemings claim that Brussels is in Flanders and should be their capital (as it is now), even if Flanders become independent. Some politicians in the debate suggested that Brussels could remain the capital of both Flanders and Wallonia, even if they were separate countries. Many saw Brussels as a special-status region within the EU, a "capital district of the EU" a bit like Washington DC in the USA, but with its own elected parliament. It wouldn't change much to the present situation, to tell the truth. Brussels is already the capital of the EU, Belgium, Flanders and the French-speaking community (but not Wallonia). The only difference would be to drop Belgium and keep the rest as it is.
Then comes the question of the majoritarily French-speaking municipalities around Brussels but officially in Flanders. The Flemish politicians tonight all seemed reluctant to include these municipalities to the Brussels Region, as many French speakers want.
The Walloon position
A majority of Walloons consider themselves as Belgian as Walloon, and tend to be pro-monarchy. Many Walloon people in the audience responded that they were utterly shocked at the news of the independence of Flanders, that they had been scared or saddened until it was announced that it was a hoax.
The polls showed that the vast majority of the Wallons were for the unity of Belgium, but if the country had to split, nearly half of them wanted to join France, if possible along with Brussels. Many Walloons are ferociously opposed to a confederate Belgium, which would be a de facto separation, and thus no more "solidarity" from Flanders for the social security.
The Brusseler's position
The people of Brussels tend to be fed up with the bickering between Flemish and Walloons, feeling as belonging to both communities. According to the poll, they wouldn't want to join France if the country splitted, but they also wouldn't want to join Wallonia as a single entity, preferring its current special status of European capital.
The reactions
I was for my part surprised and even appalled at the reactions of many Walloons, or the whole attitude of the RTBF, which I can only describe as narrow-minded. First of all, a poll showed that 95% of the (French-speaking) audience belived that the news was true until it was otherwise announced, including 6% who believed it even after they said it was a fiction ! How stupid can they be !? A country doesn't split like that on a unilteral decision without warning. It was also obvious from the exaggeration of the hoax TV news that it wasn't true.
First example, they said, among others, that from tomorrow phone calls between Flanders and Wallonia-Brussels would be charged as international phone calls and that people would need to dial +321 for Flanders and +322 for Wallonia-Brussels. This is ridiculous as each of the numerous telecom operators (including international ones like Vodafone or Orange) wouldn't suddenly be split into two new companies just because the government splits. In the age of globalisation, companies are international and do not know borders. Just look at Vodafone that is present in about 60 countries around the world.
Second example, they said that Flemish tramways, buses and trains wouldn't be allowed to run in Brussels-Wallonia and vice-versa, so that people would have to change 4 times of train to go from Brussels to Liege. This is clearly non-sensical. There are international trains that cross all Europe (and not just the EU). All the bullet-trains from Belgium are international (to Paris, Amsterdam, Cologne, London...). Only extremely naive and credulous people would believe such a hoax.
They reported that Flemish viewers who saw the programme understood that it was a joke, because the Flemish media didn't report it, and because their common sense told them that it wasn't possible. Most of them found the programme amusing, while most Walloons found it distressing or alarming. This revelas a radically different attitude to the issue of separatism.
One of the poll question was "Would you still go the the Flemish seaside if Flanders was independent ?". I was shocked again that some people send SMS saying that they would if they didn't need a visa. How stupid are they ? They don't need a visa anywhere in the EU since 1993. There has never been any mention of Flanders leaving the EU ! It is completely unbelievable to have people sending such comments, or at least to have the RTBF publish such comments !
But this may only reflect the manipulating attitude of the utterly pro-Belgian RTBF. Sometimes I wonder if they receive their state subsidies from the Flemish side (in fact they don't) to be so anti-separatist. The programme tonight was destined to scare people. It ended by soldiers parachuted over the RTBF Tower in Brussels and the tower eventually being destroyed (with some very bad special effects kashii: ). They said that the king would have to seek refuge in (the former Belgian colony of) Congo and other absurdities. Yet 6% of the audience believed it till the end !
I was really disappointed in the reactions of French-speakers, as well as audience, as the politicians and the journalists. Despite being a French-speakers myself, I agree with the Flemish on all the line, except that municipalities with a French-speaking majority around Brussels should join the Brussels Region. This is the least concession that Flanders can do in exchange for not having to support the French-speaking social security system. And I do not want it just to keep things balanced, but because it is fairer to those populations (if they voted to join Brussels, but they almost certainly would). It is this sentiment of fairness that motivates me to support Flemish independence, or a confederalist system. I really feel that the Walloons need this slap on the face to wake up and restructure their economy and political system. Political corruption is rampant in some parts of Wallonia (esp. in poorer Charleroi). The Walloons tend to be lazier, more laxist, too tolerant of illegal immigration and corruption, and rely too much on financial help from Flanders. They need this wake up call.
The debate included politicians from Flanders, Brussels and Wallonia. It was accompanied by numerous (phone or SMS) reactions from the audience, as well as opinion polls on the issue of separatism.
The Flemish position
It is common knowledge that a big portion of Flemish people, and even more so Flemish politicians, favour either more autonomy for the 3 regions of Belgium, confederalism or the outright separartion of Flanders. The reason are mainly economical. The Flemish economy is more healthy, with higher revenues and a (much) lower unemployment. Many Flemings resent having to foot the social security bill of Wallonia, given the extreme generosity of the unemployment benefits in Belgium and the fact that Wallonia couldn't support its social security system without the "solidarity of Flanders".
The Flemish are less emotionally attached to the Belgian identity, for instance to the Belgian flag (a rare sight in Flanders where the Flemish flag is everywhere), the national anthem or the monarchy. In fact, many Flemings are anti-monarchist. As they said in the debate, "Belgium" is not a value in itself in Flanders anymore.
The Flemings have a very practical attitude to things. If the country splits, most of them will be indifferent, and will continue their life as if nothing happened. The only times they really feel Belgian are :
- when they travel abroad and are asked where they come from, because there is more chance than people know Belgium than Flanders
- in sports, e.g. to support the Belgian football team, or our national tennis champions.
- for the cultural and historical heritage
This is also true of French speakers.
Most Flemings claim that Brussels is in Flanders and should be their capital (as it is now), even if Flanders become independent. Some politicians in the debate suggested that Brussels could remain the capital of both Flanders and Wallonia, even if they were separate countries. Many saw Brussels as a special-status region within the EU, a "capital district of the EU" a bit like Washington DC in the USA, but with its own elected parliament. It wouldn't change much to the present situation, to tell the truth. Brussels is already the capital of the EU, Belgium, Flanders and the French-speaking community (but not Wallonia). The only difference would be to drop Belgium and keep the rest as it is.
Then comes the question of the majoritarily French-speaking municipalities around Brussels but officially in Flanders. The Flemish politicians tonight all seemed reluctant to include these municipalities to the Brussels Region, as many French speakers want.
The Walloon position
A majority of Walloons consider themselves as Belgian as Walloon, and tend to be pro-monarchy. Many Walloon people in the audience responded that they were utterly shocked at the news of the independence of Flanders, that they had been scared or saddened until it was announced that it was a hoax.
The polls showed that the vast majority of the Wallons were for the unity of Belgium, but if the country had to split, nearly half of them wanted to join France, if possible along with Brussels. Many Walloons are ferociously opposed to a confederate Belgium, which would be a de facto separation, and thus no more "solidarity" from Flanders for the social security.
The Brusseler's position
The people of Brussels tend to be fed up with the bickering between Flemish and Walloons, feeling as belonging to both communities. According to the poll, they wouldn't want to join France if the country splitted, but they also wouldn't want to join Wallonia as a single entity, preferring its current special status of European capital.
The reactions
I was for my part surprised and even appalled at the reactions of many Walloons, or the whole attitude of the RTBF, which I can only describe as narrow-minded. First of all, a poll showed that 95% of the (French-speaking) audience belived that the news was true until it was otherwise announced, including 6% who believed it even after they said it was a fiction ! How stupid can they be !? A country doesn't split like that on a unilteral decision without warning. It was also obvious from the exaggeration of the hoax TV news that it wasn't true.
First example, they said, among others, that from tomorrow phone calls between Flanders and Wallonia-Brussels would be charged as international phone calls and that people would need to dial +321 for Flanders and +322 for Wallonia-Brussels. This is ridiculous as each of the numerous telecom operators (including international ones like Vodafone or Orange) wouldn't suddenly be split into two new companies just because the government splits. In the age of globalisation, companies are international and do not know borders. Just look at Vodafone that is present in about 60 countries around the world.
Second example, they said that Flemish tramways, buses and trains wouldn't be allowed to run in Brussels-Wallonia and vice-versa, so that people would have to change 4 times of train to go from Brussels to Liege. This is clearly non-sensical. There are international trains that cross all Europe (and not just the EU). All the bullet-trains from Belgium are international (to Paris, Amsterdam, Cologne, London...). Only extremely naive and credulous people would believe such a hoax.
They reported that Flemish viewers who saw the programme understood that it was a joke, because the Flemish media didn't report it, and because their common sense told them that it wasn't possible. Most of them found the programme amusing, while most Walloons found it distressing or alarming. This revelas a radically different attitude to the issue of separatism.
One of the poll question was "Would you still go the the Flemish seaside if Flanders was independent ?". I was shocked again that some people send SMS saying that they would if they didn't need a visa. How stupid are they ? They don't need a visa anywhere in the EU since 1993. There has never been any mention of Flanders leaving the EU ! It is completely unbelievable to have people sending such comments, or at least to have the RTBF publish such comments !
But this may only reflect the manipulating attitude of the utterly pro-Belgian RTBF. Sometimes I wonder if they receive their state subsidies from the Flemish side (in fact they don't) to be so anti-separatist. The programme tonight was destined to scare people. It ended by soldiers parachuted over the RTBF Tower in Brussels and the tower eventually being destroyed (with some very bad special effects kashii: ). They said that the king would have to seek refuge in (the former Belgian colony of) Congo and other absurdities. Yet 6% of the audience believed it till the end !
I was really disappointed in the reactions of French-speakers, as well as audience, as the politicians and the journalists. Despite being a French-speakers myself, I agree with the Flemish on all the line, except that municipalities with a French-speaking majority around Brussels should join the Brussels Region. This is the least concession that Flanders can do in exchange for not having to support the French-speaking social security system. And I do not want it just to keep things balanced, but because it is fairer to those populations (if they voted to join Brussels, but they almost certainly would). It is this sentiment of fairness that motivates me to support Flemish independence, or a confederalist system. I really feel that the Walloons need this slap on the face to wake up and restructure their economy and political system. Political corruption is rampant in some parts of Wallonia (esp. in poorer Charleroi). The Walloons tend to be lazier, more laxist, too tolerant of illegal immigration and corruption, and rely too much on financial help from Flanders. They need this wake up call.