In Belgium (and the Netherlands) this position is only supported by the most marginal elements of the far-right.
On the broader Flemish right, there is agreement that it should split from the French-speaking part of the country, because (a) Flanders is richer and (b) the left parties and trade-unions are more strong in Wallonia* and Brussels. They believe it would be more easy to destroy social security and the welfare state in a split country than in a united one. Large media-corporations are on their side, and press is filled with stories about "lazy Francophone socialists"in support of Flemish-nationalist parties (especially during strikes and elections).
For that reason, and not just some emotional attachment to a nation state, the left is in favour of unity among the working class. Divided the working class loses, united it wins.
*Opinion polls in Wallonia now show that it will become the region with the strongest left in the EU, with around 60% of the vote going to the social-democrats, the greens and the communists (PTB).
In Belgium (and the Netherlands) this position is only supported by the most marginal elements of the far-right.
On the broader Flemish right, there is agreement that it should split from the French-speaking part of the country, because (a) Flanders is richer and (b) the left parties and trade-unions are more strong in Wallonia* and Brussels. They believe it would be more easy to destroy social security and the welfare state in a split country than in a united one. Large media-corporations are on their side, and press is filled with stories about "lazy Francophone socialists"in support of Flemish-nationalist parties (especially during strikes and elections).
For that reason, and not just some emotional attachment to a nation state, the left is in favour of unity among the working class. Divided the working class loses, united it wins.
*Opinion polls in Wallonia now show that it will become the region with the strongest left in the EU, with around 60% of the vote going to the social-democrats, the greens and the communists (PTB).