TY - JOUR
T1 - The Success of the Regionalist Parties in the 2014 Elections in Belgium
AU - Baudewyns, Pierre
AU - Dandoy, Regis
AU - Reuchamps, Min
PY - 2015/1/1
Y1 - 2015/1/1
N2 - Abstract: In May 2014, and for the second time in her political history, regional, federal and European elections were organized simultaneously in Belgium. In the direct follow-up of the sixth state reform, which increased the powers and autonomy of the Belgian Regions and Communities, these elections were crucial for the future of the country and for the multi-level coalition formation at the regional and federal levels. The political campaign was dominated by socioeconomic issues and demands for further autonomy, particularly in the Flemish region. Regional electoral results confirmed the success of the regionalist parties in Flanders, but also in Brussels and in the German-speaking Community. These successes allowed regionalist parties to enter all regional and federal governments—often as the dominant party—with the exception of the Walloon and the French-speaking Community cabinets.
AB - Abstract: In May 2014, and for the second time in her political history, regional, federal and European elections were organized simultaneously in Belgium. In the direct follow-up of the sixth state reform, which increased the powers and autonomy of the Belgian Regions and Communities, these elections were crucial for the future of the country and for the multi-level coalition formation at the regional and federal levels. The political campaign was dominated by socioeconomic issues and demands for further autonomy, particularly in the Flemish region. Regional electoral results confirmed the success of the regionalist parties in Flanders, but also in Brussels and in the German-speaking Community. These successes allowed regionalist parties to enter all regional and federal governments—often as the dominant party—with the exception of the Walloon and the French-speaking Community cabinets.
KW - Belgium
KW - Brussels
KW - coalition formation
KW - federal election
KW - Flanders
KW - German-speaking Community
KW - Regional elections
KW - regionalist parties
KW - Wallonia
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84930041744&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84930041744&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/13597566.2014.998202
DO - 10.1080/13597566.2014.998202
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84930041744
VL - 25
SP - 91
EP - 102
JO - Regional and Federal Studies
JF - Regional and Federal Studies
SN - 1359-7566
IS - 1
ER -