After the separatist Flemish nationalist rightwing N-VA announced they would stand for election in Wallonia, "many people" have reportedly shown interest in being part of the "Walloon N-VA."
To get rid of "a very left-wing government" in Wallonia, N-VA leader Bart De Wever – a staunch critic of the country's French-speaking region –has put his party up for election in Wallonia – an idea endorsed by Federal N-VA MP and former State Secretary Theo Francken, who discussed possible candidates.
"I am sure that many Walloons and Brussels residents are partial to our discourse on migration, security, proper justice... We have a lot in common with Wallonia," Francken told La Dernière Heure. "But I cannot reveal any names yet."
Taking a step forward
De Wever is currently working on the candidate list. "What I can tell you is that many people have sent us their CVs. We have had many emails from people saying they are interested in joining."
Francken, however, stressed that the party is wary of people who just want to take the opportunity to put themselves in the spotlight. "We need people who believe in our project and who really want to take a step forward with N-VA, not just with their personal careers – it is not the same thing."
N-VA stated that reforming Belgium to a confederal state was the only way for Flanders to "get rid of" the leftwing Walloon Government. "That administration is detrimental to the Flemish. And that message must also be told in Wallonia."
As a federal nation, Belgium is currently divided into different smaller federated states (known as regions). This means that power is not centralised in one overarching government but shared between the central level and these semi-autonomous regions.
N-VA leader and Antwerp mayor Bart De Wever. Credit: Belga/Jonas Roosens
Confederalism would give more powers and competencies to these regions, making them independent and autonomous sovereign states (voluntarily) deciding to cooperate – which is what De Wever and his party want to achieve with another state reform.
On the Francophone side of Belgium, however, De Wever's initiative is not being welcomed with open arms. Earlier this week, the leader of the Francophone socialist PS party, Paul Magnette stressed that there is absolutely "no need" for a Walloon version of N-VA. "The N-VA in Wallonia already exists, it is called the MR," he said on RTL, referring to the French-speaking liberal party.
"Their socio-economic programme is exactly the same. I will do everything I can to avoid going along with the N-VA," Magnette said. "If there is a strong PS after the elections, we will be able to put together the most progressive coalitions."
It is the first time in Belgian history that N-VA is running in Wallonia and the first time that French-speaking MR will stand in Flanders – although N-VA leader Bart De Wever will be hoping for a more successful campaign launch in Wallonia than his MR counterpart, George-Louis Bouchez, who struggled to correctly read his campaign slogan in Dutch on the day of the launch.
