Flemish Movement
The Flemish Movement is an umbrella term which has many political groups in the Belgian region of Flanders and, less commonly, in French Flanders. They are made up of groups who wish to promote Flemish culture and the Dutch language as well as those wanting a greater political independence for Flanders within Belgium. It also supports nationalists who want Flanders to be independent from Belgium, either through outright independence or to be reunited with the Netherlands.
History
21st century
2010s
In recent history, the Flemish Movement has become more powerful and important in Belgian politicians.[1][2][3] Since 2010, the separatist N-VA party has been the biggest party in Flanders,[4] while Vlaams Belang has become the second largest in the 2019 federal and regional elections.[5]
2020s
In 2025, Bart De Wever became Belgium's first Flemish nationalist to become prime minister.[6][7]
Flemish Movement Media
Belgian writer Jan Frans Willems (1793-1846). Painting by unknown 19th century painter.
Bust of Hugo Verriest in Roeselare, Belgium.
Excerpt from the newspaper De Vlaamsche Strijd of 1899. Preserverd in the Ghent University Library. Good example of the propaganda that was held.
Bilingual road sign in Linkebeek. The French words have been painted over, leaving the Dutch words only.
Flanders Belgium state structure poll by De Stemming
References
- ↑ Belgian Political Crisis and Talk of Linguistic Divisions Continue | DW | 02.10.2007. DW.COM.
- ↑ An artificial kingdom moves closer to its end. https://www.economist.com/charlemagne/2010/06/14/an-artificial-kingdom-moves-closer-to-its-end.
- ↑ Voice, European. Flemish separatism gains ground in Belgium. POLITICO (May 26, 2014).
- ↑ Brzozowski, Alexandra. EU country briefing: Belgium (May 3, 2019).
- ↑ Vlaams Belang surges, N-VA biggest (2019-05-26).
- ↑ Belgium gets new government with Flemish separatist Bart De Wever as PM (in en). politico (2025-02-03). Retrieved 2025-02-03.
- ↑ Van 'Slimste mens' tot eerste Vlaams-nationalist als premier: hoe Bart De Wever al 20 jaar de politiek in België domineert (in nl). vrt (2025-02-01). Retrieved 2025-02-03.
