A party that wants to split Belgium was on course to make gains in a parliamentary election today, a result that could complicate efforts to form a coalition that can deliver state reforms and budgetary control.
The Flemish separatist N-VA (New Flemish Alliance), which advocates the gradual dissolution of Belgium, appeared on course to be the largest party in Dutch-speaking Flanders and possibly the country, according to early partial results.
Results in from less than 5 per cent of polling stations showed the French-speaking Socialists, whose leader Elio Di Rupo has been tipped by many as the next prime minister, were doing well in francophone Wallonia.
Regardless of whether he wins, N-VA leader Bart De Wever will not be able to start devolving powers to the regions immediately.
The electoral system -- effectively two elections with separate parties seeking votes from French-speakers and the majority Dutch-speakers -- means at least four parties will be needed to form a governing coalition.
Parties from the poorer French-speaking regions are nervous about any form of devolution, seeing it as a step towards the break-up of the country, which they oppose.
This is the first federal election from which a party advocating the end of Belgium could emerge the winner, although the N-VA were allies of the Christian Democrats in 2007.
The party's lead in polls has triggered a nationwide debate about the possible break-up of the 180-year-old nation, with richer Flanders and French-speaking Wallonia, where unemployment is about double the national average, going their separate ways.
Political analysts draw comparisons between Mr De Wever and Yves Leterme, the Christian Democrat who won the 2007 election on a pledge to win more powers for Flanders.
Mr Leterme took nine months to form his five-party government and offered his resignation three times in as many years. He finally fell after a dispute between Dutch- and French-speakers over the arcane, but emotive issue, of the electoral boundaries around Brussels.
With financial markets likely to punish budgetary laggards during a euro zone debt crisis, Belgium, a country of 10.6 million people, can ill afford drawn-out coalition talks.
Belgium's debt-to-GDP ratio, set to rise above 100 per cent this year or next, is the third highest in the eurozone after Greece and Italy.
The debt has been a secondary issue to reform of the state in past weeks, although the N-VA's opponents have said its success could unsettle financial markets.
Belgium also takes on the six-month presidency of the European Union on July 1st, an organisational role that gives a country a chance to shine on the world stage. Some parties have said Belgium needs a government by September at the latest.
Reuters