(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The New Flemish Alliance (NVA) is the favourite party in Flanders ahead of legislative elections in Belgium, according to a poll by Dedicated Research. 22.9 per cent of respondents would vote for the NVA in next month’s ballot.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The New Flemish Alliance (NVA) is the favourite party in Flanders ahead of legislative elections in Belgium, according to a poll by Dedicated Research. 22.9 per cent of respondents would vote for the NVA in next month’s ballot.
The Christian Democratic and Flemish (CDV) is second with 18.9 per cent, followed by the Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats (VLD) with 14.8 per cent, and the Socialist Party Difference (SP.A) with 14.2 per cent. Support is lower for the Flemish Interest (VB), Green! (Groen!) and List Dedecker.
In Wallonia, the Socialist Party (PS) leads with 32.5 per cent, followed by the Reformist Movement – Francophone Democratic Federalists (MR-FDF) with 21.1 per cent, the Humanist Democratic Centre (CDH) with 18.2 per cent, the Environmentalists (Ecolo) with 17.6 per cent, and the National Front (FN) with 2.9 per cent.
In June 2007, a federal election took place in Belgium. Final results gave the Christian Democratic and Flemish (CDV) / New Flemish Alliance (NVA) 30 seats in the Chamber of People’s Representatives. The election sparked a major political crisis, as CVD/NVA leader Yves Leterme failed to assemble a government.
In December, outgoing prime minister Guy Verhofstadt was given a mandate to form an interim government. On Dec. 21, Verhofstadt presented his cabinet, which included finance minister Didier Reynders and interior minister Patrick Dewael. This administration was to remain in office until Mar. 23, 2008.
On Mar. 20, 2008, King Albert II appointed Leterme as prime minister. The CVD/NVA leader headed a coalition government that included the VLD / Vivant (V), the PS, the CDH and the Reformist Movement (MR).
Last month, the VLD left the governing coalition over disagreements on how to deal with the boundaries of the electoral arrondissement of Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde, a bilingual area surrounding Brussels. Prime minister Leterme tendered his resignation, prompting a new legislative election.
Leterme also resigned as leader of his party, saying, "Somebody must shoulder this responsibility; I’m shouldering it." Marianne Thyssen, CDV chairwoman and vice-chair of the European People’s Party (EPP), will lead the CDV into the next ballot.
The next election will take place on Jun. 13.
Polling Data
Voting Intention in Belgium
Flanders
|
New Flemish Alliance (NVA)
|
22.9%
|
|
Christian Democratic and Flemish (CDV)
|
18.9%
|
|
Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats (VLD)
|
14.8%
|
|
Socialist Party Difference (SP.A)
|
14.2%
|
|
Flemish Interest (VB)
|
12.5%
|
|
Green! (Groen!)
|
7.9%
|
|
List Dedecker
|
3.9%
|
Wallonia
|
Socialist Party (PS)
|
32.5%
|
|
Reformist Movement – Francophone Democratic Federalists (MR-FDF)
|
21.1%
|
|
Humanist Democratic Centre (CDH)
|
18.2%
|
|
Environmentalists (Ecolo)
|
17.6%
|
|
National Front (FN)
|
2.9%
|
Source: Dedicated Research
Methodology: Interviews with 2,000 Belgian adults, conducted from Apr. 29 to May 3, 2010. Margin of error is 2.2 per cent.
