Walloons favour republic in case of Belgian split

More than half (53%) of Walloons would opt for a republic should Belgium disappear and Wallonia become independent, with Belgian prime minister Elio Di Rupo as their preferred choice of president, according to a survey by Ipsos and the Sudpresse group. The remaining 47% would favour a monarchy. “The results sound surprising but it should be remembered that Wallonia has a strong republican tradition and the relationship between Wallonia and the Palace is a matter of reason, not a love story,” says political analyst Michel Hermans of Liège University. “The monarchy serves a purpose in a Belgian context with its different communities, but not in an independent Wallonia.” Half of respondents would choose Namur as the capital of a Walloon republic. The 18-24 age group emerged as the most republican (62%), while Luxembourg province is torn between republic and monarchy. In total, 1,003 Walloons aged 18 to 75 took part in the online survey between May 8 and May 13. The maximum margin of error is 3.1%.