Welcome to The Flemish Republic
Why the Belgian federation should be dissolved and Flanders should become an independent state. |
|
 Frequently asked questions
But what about ‘national solidarity’ with Wallonia?
It is untrue to say that the Flemish people do not contribute to so-called ‘national solidarity’. Annually, between 5 tot 12 billion Euros flow from Flanders to Wallonia - proportionally more than former West Germany invests in the former ‘German Democratic Republic’. Wallonia receives a quarter of its income from this ‘national solidarity’. Notwithstanding these enormous transfers, the economic cleavage between Flanders and Wallonia is increasing. This is the direct result of the statist policies of Wallonia, which has a tradition of incurring high debts, massive subsidisation and the employment of too many people in government. One revealing illustration of the differences that exist between the political cultures in Flanders and Wallonia is the number of government ministers in the two regions. The Flemish government has ten ministers for six million Flemings. On the other hand, Wallonia and French-speaking Brussels residents, totalling fewer than four million, have two separate governments with a total of seventeen ministers, among which there are three ministers of education (with different ministers for primary education and secondary education!).
Another example should be adduced. Wallonia makes up about 30% of Belgium’s population, but its share of exports is only 14%. Wallonia risks dragging Flanders down with it into Belgian bankruptcy. Wallonia is responsible for 60% of the public debt, which has increased to over 250 billion Euros. This is a European record. Belgium leads Europe in taxes. Increasingly, Flemings are asking themselves: why is Flanders paying for Wallonia? So far as we are concerned, ‘solidarity’ would be better realised within a wider European framework wherein richer European regions and countries would combine to help poorer regions and countries.
Previous page
|
|
|
