Belgium: three elections in one day on Sunday, the right advances while the consensus of the liberals declines

On Sunday the citizens of Belgium will be called to the polls for three different elections: those for the Federal Parliamentthose for regional assemblies (Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels) and finally the Europeans. This is an appointment that has taken on particular importance due to the possible intersections depending on the outcome of the vote and with the prospect of fitting into the general “turn to the right” of European politics. In fact, polls show the far-right Flemish Interest (Vb) party as the favorite for the federal elections and those in Flanders, already growing strongly in 2019, when it won 18 seats out of the 150 total in the chamber, and which could win up to 26 after Sunday’s count, according to some polls. The main losers would be the centre-right and liberal formations, while the Labor Party, a left-wing force that distinguishes itself from the socialists (PS) and Avanti (Vooruit), would also gain votes. Due to the particular shape of the Belgian political scenario, it is very difficult for one party to gain a very high percentage of preferences compared to the others, forcing the various leaders into long negotiations to find an agreement on the future government (the record was reached after the elections of 2010, when it took 541 days to conclude the negotiations). The fragmentation becomes further complicated when looking at regional parliaments, with some parties, including the Vb, running only in Flanders.

In this perspective, the “cordon sanitaire” historically established by the Belgian parties to isolate the far right must also be taken into account, and which in the current elections could result in a coalition that is difficult to compose in order not to allow Vb and the New Flemish Alliance (N- Goes) to sit in government. The issue of immigration and security has had particular space in the public debate in recent months and could have a great weight especially in the vote in Flanders, while in Brussels and Wallonia voters seem more concerned about economic issues and the decrease in purchasing power experienced in recent times. The different perception of the citizens in the three regions that make up Belgium will obviously also have an impact on the negotiations for the future executive, with a series of crossed vetoes and internal alliances that could lead to the position of prime minister figures from minor parties, such as the current head of government Alexander De Crooa member of the Flemish liberals of Open Vld.

Fewer surprises should come from the data on voter turnout in Belgium, traditionally very high by European standards and close to 90 percent: in the country it is in fact mandatory to go to the polls, under penalty of economic sanctions; However, citizens can decide to leave the ballot blank: Furthermore, for this electoral round, 16- and 17-year-olds will also be allowed to vote, but only for the European Parliament. Polling stations across Belgium will be open on June 9th from 8:00 am until 2:00 pm, while for online voting it will be possible to express your preference until 4:00 pm.

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