Split Brussels in two, proposes N-VA

On the second day of announcements leading up to its congress in January, the Flemish nationalist party N-VA unveiled a radical plan for Brussels yesterday, which would strip the capital of its status as a full region. There would be just two regions left under the N-VA’s plan – Flanders and Wallonia.

The capital would be downgraded to an entity called Regio Brussel Hoofdstad and would retain limited responsibilities linked to “territory”, such as the economy, employment and public works. Meanwhile, social security and taxation would be dealt with separately by Flanders and Wallonia, with residents of Brussels being required to choose one of the regions to join for tax and social security purposes.  

N-VA party president Bart De Wever still sees a role for Belgium in certain areas such as defence and asylum policy. But the number of ministers in the federal government would be cut from the current 15 to just six. The office of prime minister would disappear, and federal ministers would be appointed by the two regions.  

Under the N-VA plan, which is set to be debated at its congress in order to form a platform for next May’s elections, the House of Representatives would be reduced to 50 members of parliament – 25 appointed by each region. The king would remain in office, but his role would be strictly ceremonial, along the lines of Scandinavian monarchies.

The country would no longer have its own diplomats but would be represented by Flemish and Walloon ambassadors. At meetings of the European Council, Flanders and Wallonia would send representatives to alternative meetings. But Belgium as a country would no longer be represented.