Greater autonomy for Flanders would boost its economy, but outright independence for the northern region of Belgium would be costly for all, its leader said Monday.
Kris Peeters, the minister-president for the Dutch-speaking Belgian region, was speaking to AFP during a visit to Quebec, which twice rejected a split from the rest of Canada in referendums.
“I don’t support Flanders independence,” he said, “I’m convinced that our region needs more powers in different areas, such as taxation, etc, but I also believe that Flanders needs Belgium.”
Belgium’s main Flemish separatist party New Flemish Alliance warned Saturday that it will seek complete autonomy for Flanders region if it wins legislative elections slated for May 2014.
The push for greater autonomy is buoyed by popular sentiment that the richer Dutch-speaking north is financially supporting poorer French-speaking Walloons.
“We must work to gain more powers for our region, but Flanders must remain in Belgium,” said Peeters, whose Christian-Democrats will face off against the New Flemish Alliance at the ballot box.
With more powers, he said, “it will be easier for Flanders to put forth more coherent and efficient policies and that will improve the economic situation.”
“Outright independence for Flanders is not an option, because it would be costly for us and the rest of Belgium,” he added.
Peeters was to meet Monday evening with Quebec Premier Pauline Marois, who is also leader of the separatist Parti Quebecois.
Flanders leader tells Quebecers independence too costly
