Antwerp, Belgium – Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has reaffirmed his commitment to greater Flemish autonomy, even while governing at the federal level without immediate constitutional reform. De Wever’s remarks came Wednesday during a presentation of the biography of Hugo Schiltz, a former leader of the Volksunie, the precursor to the N-VA party.
De Wever argued that a nationalist party “must be able to capture the dominant current of the Flemish people’s will and instrumentalize it.” He added that such a party “must also dare to govern, and can govern, even without state reform, as long as it pursues a policy that sufficiently meets the deep aspirations of Flanders.” This, he stated, is “its ultimate vocation,” even if it leads back “to the institutional question.”
The Prime Minister praised Schiltz’s achievements in advancing state reform, which he said led to a “great cultural and economic emancipation of Flanders.” However, he also noted that this progress occurred alongside the creation of a “opaque, expensive, and inefficient” federal state.
De Wever believes the only solution lies in further empowering Flanders, specifically through confederalism. He acknowledged, however, that this position is a personal conviction not currently reflected in the federal government’s agreement.
According to De Wever, choosing to govern at the federal level without recent state reform is “a choice that, as far as I can tell, is also supported within the Flemish Movement, even if This proves very risky.” He emphasized the importance of balancing conviction with responsibility, stating, “Hugo Schiltz teaches us that conviction and responsibility are not necessarily mutually exclusive. But that whoever takes responsibility must always be able to recognize his convictions when he looks in the mirror.”
The biography, titled ‘Hugo Schiltz. Homme hors catégorie,’ was written by Eric Van de Casteele and published by Ertsberg. The discussion surrounding Schiltz’s legacy underscores the ongoing debate about the future of Belgium’s federal structure and the balance of power between its regions.
De Wever also used the occasion to criticize other political figures, including Georges-Louis Bouchez, according to reports from Le Soir. He reiterated his view that the current federal system is not functioning effectively.
The N-VA’s success, De Wever suggested, is built upon the foundations laid by Schiltz, noting that “the power that the N-VA has built up today is unthinkable without the achievements of Schiltz,” as reported by De Morgen.
Despite the challenges, De Wever remains committed to pursuing a path that strengthens Flanders’ position within Belgium, even if it requires navigating a complex political landscape. Knack reports that he continues to advocate for confederalism as a long-term solution.
