LE CREDO DES WALLONS

In: Politique internationale: pi, Band 132

Abstract

With no federal government for over a year now, the Belgian state is crumbling more and more with each passing day. King Albert II has therefore appointed Elio Di Rupo, leader of the francophone Socialist party, as "formateur" -- making him, in effect, a virtual prime minister charged with resolving the country's institutional crisis. Is Mr. Di Rupo Belgium's last chance for survival? One thing is certain: the "formateur" will have to square the circle of reconciling the interests of his Walloon compatriots, the majority of whom wish to maintain a united Belgium, with the aspirations of the Flemish, who demand ever greater autonomy, even if this endangers state unity. In this exclusive interview, the Walloon leader does not shy from the magnitude of the task ahead and reveals some of the strategies he will deploy to meet the challenge. Mr. Di Rupo believes in maintaining Belgian unity, but not at any cost, and warns that if Flanders decides to declare independence, the Walloons and residents of Brussels should not be afraid to take their own destiny in hand. Adapted from the source document.