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| Europe |
| Get ready for break-up of Belgium: top minister |
| 2010-09-05 |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #10 If the United European dream doesn't melt I suspect a lot of nations might find certain enclaves going their own way. After all why should Bavarians pay taxes to Germany and Europe? Or Tuscany, or Basque or whatever. |
| Posted by: rjschwarz 2010-09-05 23:50 |
| #9 Tens of thousands of Flemish people, meanwhile, took part on Sunday in an annual demonstration which consists in symbolically "encircling" Brussels by bike or on foot, to remind locals that they are surrounded by Flanders. The ominous clicking of wooden shoes .... |
| Posted by: Mike Ramsey 2010-09-05 21:54 |
| #8 I don't think Britain needs to worry about Napoleon invading from Belgium's ports any more. |
| Posted by: phil_b 2010-09-05 21:24 |
| #7 Tens of thousands of Flemish people, meanwhile, took part on Sunday in an annual demonstration which consists in symbolically "encircling" Brussels by bike or on foot, to remind locals that they are surrounded by Flanders. Provocative, no? |
| Posted by: Secret Master 2010-09-05 20:07 |
| #6 But TW, that's really only three parties - A nationalist/rightist for each side, and one big leftish group with various sects. I've never understood the distinctions between greens/socialists/communists/etc.. on the left - Always struck me as sort of a Pampers/Luvs branding thing - same goals and leaders, just varied marketing. The nationality/language/culture split which affects the right, I get. |
| Posted by: Halliburton - Mysterious Conspiracy Division 2010-09-05 18:36 |
| #5 Belgium seems like a weird country for one so small. A few years ago I met an elderly fellow from Belgium. His name was Marcel, so I assume he was from the French side of Belgium. He said that the Northerners and Southerners hated each other. They speak different languages (sometimes on purpose, even though they understand the other language.) |
| Posted by: Rambler in Virginia 2010-09-05 17:51 |
| #4 Seven parties? For Belgium? I imagine basically a French and a Flemish Left, a French and a Flemish Right, a French and a Flemish Green or Communist, and a German party to represent them at the national level. Plus all sorts of splinter parties of the kinds that parliamentary systems with proportional representation encourage. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2010-09-05 17:03 |
| #3 ". . .to navigate seven-party talks aimed at securing some form of government . . ." Seven parties? For Belgium? What, one for each letter in the country's name? God bless the electoral college. |
| Posted by: Halliburton - Mysterious Conspiracy Division 2010-09-05 16:18 |
| #2 It is the 21st century. I don't think that a buffer state is still needed between France and the Netherlands. But I don't live their either. |
| Posted by: Mike Ramsey 2010-09-05 14:54 |
| #1 Been ready for years, what's the hold up? |
| Posted by: Grunter 2010-09-05 14:46 |