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This article is part of the special Brussels guide report.
When a country holds the world record for the time it takes to form a government, you know its politics are complicated.
So whether you’ve just arrived in its capital or just want to look a little smarter with your local neighbors, here’s what you need to know about politics in Belgium.
Say the basics
The next time Belgians go to the polls is on 9 June 2024. On that day, they will vote for their regional and federal representatives, as well as in the elections for the European Parliament.
Belgium is a federal state, so whether you’re trying to find a school for your children, reporting a pothole on your road, or needing a license plate for your car, it helps to know which government to turn to.* And in Belgium, there are many governments.
Power is divided between the federal government, three communities (Flemish, French and German) and three regions (Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels). Communities are responsible for language-related matters such as education, childcare and culture. Regions are responsible for territorial issues such as mobility, environment and housing.
So far so good? Here are two things that will make it more complicated. There is no hierarchy in this system, so the federal government cannot override any of the regional decisions. This means that disagreement sometimes leads to political paralysis. In addition, many responsibilities are mixed. In health care, for example, childcare and elderly care are community responsibilities, while hospitals are a federal concern.
(*If you live in Brussels, you can find a French-speaking school through French community or a Dutch-speaking school through it Flemish community. If you want to report a pothole on your road, it’s best to discuss it with the community or the Brussels regional government. If you need a sign, you will be division with the federal government.)
What language do I speak without offending anyone?
Brussels is officially bilingual French-Dutch. In the northern region of Flanders, Dutch is the official language. In the southern region of Wallonia, the official language is French, except for a small area in the east of Belgium, where the official language is German.
In practice, French is the lingua franca in the capital (and English is fine if you don’t speak French – don’t tell the French though). Around Brussels, especially in the east, French is also used a lot, but assuming all the locals will answer your questions in French can be politically difficult and sometimes offensive. If you want to stay on the safe side, you can always ask which language the locals are most comfortable with.
Political parties are divided by language, which means that someone in Antwerp, for example, cannot vote for a politician from Liège. Belgians voting in Brussels can choose whether to vote for a Dutch-speaking or a French-speaking politician.
What is all this talk about breaking up the country?
In the northern region of Flanders, there has long been an independence movement that argues that Belgium is an artificial construct and is too French. The main political goal of the two largest Flemish political parties is greater Flemish autonomy. The far-right Vlaams Belang, which is currently leading the polls, wants Flanders to become a fully independent country.
However, there are significant hurdles to overcome, even if Vlaams Belang ends up winning next year’s election as predicted. They would have to convince the Flemish nationalists of the N-VA to work with them, despite the Belgian political establishment’s decades-long promise not to govern with the far right. Even then, the French-speaking side of Belgian politics is unlikely to appear on the negotiating table, at least at first. The breakup of the country would also lead to big questions about the future status of Brussels.
Is there a chance the Belgians will break their own record without a government?
The small country holds the world record for the longest time it has taken to form a government during coalition talks — more than 500 days. Current Prime Minister Alexander De Croo needed seven parties, a pandemic and a long time to form a coalition for a federal government. This time, centrist parties are really under attack, from Vlaams Belang on the right in Flanders and the communist PTB in Wallonia.
If there is no government, will the 71 bus to Flagey stop running?
No. The popular bus route between central Brussels and Ixelles, where many Eurocrats live, is operated by the Brussels transport company STIB. The Brussels regional government, which is responsible for STIB, is traditionally easier to form than the federal government. But even at the federal level, Belgium works pretty well (or at least, not much worse than normal) with or without a government.
Wait, can’t the king just appoint a new prime minister?
King Philip is the neutral arbiter in the attempt to form a government. Based on the election results, it appoints the politician who can start consultations and eventually form a government. But unclear national elections, or different results in the south and north of the country, can make the job a political minefield. In his 10 years in office, Philippe has been generally praised for handling these sometimes difficult choices. But there was controversy, for example when he guest far-right leader in the palace after the 2019 election.
Who is who?
Here are some names you need to know to sound smart in a discussion about Belgian politics.
Alexander De Croo: Flemish liberal De Croo is the prime minister and leads an ideologically diverse coalition of seven parties. If the cards fall soon after the 2024 election, De Croo has said he wants to stay on as prime minister. At the same time, his name is also circulating for top European positions. Belgium will then hold the EU Council presidency in the first half of 2024, giving De Croo an informal seat at the table in discussions about the same jobs.
![](https://www.politico.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/08/GettyImages-1237718668-1024x1024.jpg)
![](https://www.politico.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/08/GettyImages-1237718668-1024x1024.jpg)
Bart De Wever: The Flemish nationalist De Wever led his N-VA party to huge victories, and even briefly into the federal government. He currently combines his work as party chairman with the governance of the city of Antwerp. Greater Flemish autonomy is a key political ambition for both his party and De Wever personally.
![](https://www.politico.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/08/GettyImages-1146410751-973x1024.jpg)
![](https://www.politico.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/08/GettyImages-1146410751-973x1024.jpg)
Tom Van Gricken: The president of the far-right Vlaams Belang has been key to its recent successes. The goal of Van Grieken, who became leader when he was just 28, is clear: Flemish independence. Just like Marine Le Pen in France, Van Grieken has made sure to remain tough on immigration while rejecting the idea that he is leading a racist party.
![](https://www.politico.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/08/raoul.jpg)
![](https://www.politico.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/08/raoul.jpg)
Raoul Hedebouw: The perfectly bilingual Hedebouw is party chairman of the communist PTB/PVDA. His party is currently the second-largest in POLITICO’s Poll of Polls and is particularly popular in Wallonia, where it challenges the French-speaking Socialists, traditionally the biggest political force in the region.
![](https://www.politico.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/08/Paul-M2.jpg)
![](https://www.politico.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/08/Paul-M2.jpg)
Paul Magnette: Just like De Wever, Magnette combines his party presidency of the Francophone Socialists with being mayor of the city of Charleroi. Magnette, whose long political career includes leading the Walloon region, now faces the challenge of keeping the communists at bay in southern Belgium.
![](https://www.politico.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/08/bouchez.jpg)
![](https://www.politico.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/08/bouchez.jpg)
Georges-Louis Bouchez: The president of the French-speaking liberals, the party of European Council President Charles Michel, is a controversial figure in Belgian politics. He is adamant in defending his liberal views, even if it means that no agreement can be found within the federal government, as was the case with recent budget reform.
Political parties
Vlaams Belang: Flemish far-right
N-VA: Flemish nationalists
Open VLD: Flemish liberals
CD&V: Flemish Christian Democrats
Vooruit: Flemish Socialists
Groen: Flemish greens
PS: French-speaking socialists
PTB/PVDA: Communists
MR: Francophone liberals
Ecolo: French-speaking greens
Les Engagés: French-speaking Christian Democrats