Belgium: crisis of a nation

In this article the effects of Belgianfederalism on its linguistic minorities, specifically the French, Flemish and Flanders, are examined. Since the time of formation of theelectoral district of Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde, it became a stumbling block in the Belgian policy. The author begins by posing a questionon whether Belgian federalism has resolved the cohabitation of its different linguistic groups and ensured their proportional representationin federal government. The analysis of the historical background of the difficulties between the groups, as well as a description ofthe federal structures that have been adopted to improve these difficulties, is provided. An important aspect of the article is its analysisof the outcome of these political structures on the interactions between the minorities. Within the limits of modern Belgian federalismwhere all depends on struggling for repartition of the power and influence of regional parties, the constructive decision on electoral districthas not been found yet. And it leads all Belgian federalism to nowhere. Belgium is one of the EU founding countries. Its activeparticipation in Euro integration processes is based on ideology of federalism and national consensus, adherence to which has neverbeen questioned publicly. In the opinion of many observers Belgium is in the phase of crisis of federalism. The status quo preservationcan lead to a breakdown of a nation-state in the heart of Europe. Therefore, Belgium has become a political laboratory of European federalismhaving realised in practice a model of a decentralised and regionalized state based on the principle of ethnic and linguisticpluralism. The Belgian experience of territorial reforming looked attractive and prospective enough, until the idea of regionalism supportedby the ideology of nationalism has not questioned the existence of the national state Belgium. At present Belgium is at historicaland political crossroads. Belgium has always personified the European idea and the breakdown of the nation-state will be the collapse ofthe federal Europe, the Europe of regions and all other Europes - except the Europe of the national states. The experience of search ofthe compromise in the ethnic variety of Belgium and dialogue construction in the federative state is a lesson for modern multinationalstates. The specificity of evolution of ethno-regional parties in the view of national contradictions in Belgium leaves the question unansweredof the future of the national states in the system of the European political institutes when solving problems of internal policy.Within modern Belgian federal mechanism where all depends on the struggling for repartition of the power and influence of regionalparties, the constructive decision on election district of Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde will not be found. Federalism in Belgium has failed tointegrate different communities, as it has not fostered national unity. Some indicators predict that there is a threat of the collapse of thenation, and that this is a serious cause for attention.

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