Article

2010-09-05 Europe

Get ready for break-up of Belgium: top minister

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Posted by tipper 2010-09-05 13:34|| || Front Page|| [6 views ] Top

#1 Been ready for years, what's the hold up?

Posted by Grunter 2010-09-05 14:46|| 2010-09-05 14:46|| Front Page Top

#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|| 2010-09-05 14:54|| Front Page Top

#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|| 2010-09-05 16:18|| Front Page Top

#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|| 2010-09-05 17:03|| Front Page Top

#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|| 2010-09-05 17:51|| Front Page Top

#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|| 2010-09-05 18:36|| Front Page Top

#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|| 2010-09-05 20:07|| Front Page Top

#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|| 2010-09-05 21:24|| Front Page Top

#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|| 2010-09-05 21:54|| Front Page Top

#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|| 2010-09-05 23:50|| Front Page Top

23:54 trailing wife
23:50 rjschwarz
23:36 SteveS
23:21 Pappy
22:50 Willy
22:47 badanov
22:11 rammer
22:07 rammer
21:59 gorb
21:56 Goodluck
21:54 Mike Ramsey
21:43 AsymeTarzan Ulereper4435
21:24 phil_b
21:09 Besoeker
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20:57 phil_b
20:33 Dale
20:28 Barbara Skolaut
20:20 JohnQC
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20:07 Secret Master
19:53 Deacon Blues
19:41 Bright Pebbles