Flemish separatists have once again emerged as the largest force in Belgian politics following national parliamentary elections on Sunday, with almost 95% of votes counted.
The conservative New Flemish Alliance (NVA) is projected to come first with 18% of the vote, while the more extreme Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) is expected win the second largest share of the vote with 15%.
The Dutch-speaking Flemish are the majority in Belgium, but the electoral system is engineered to ensure a balance of power between French and Dutch-speaking regions. With seat projections still changing by the minute, it's not yet clear whether Vlaams Belang will have more seats in the Chamber of Representatives than the French-speaking liberal Reformist Movement (MR).
In a national vote held the same day as the European Parliament elections, Prime Minister Alexander de Croo's Flemish liberal party, Open VLD, is projected to lose almost half its seats in Chamber of Representatives. As is traditional after elections, Prime Minister Alexandre De Croo is expected to resign on Monday, Belgian media reported on Sunday.
