Bill to divide country rejected
Lawmakers from Belgium’s Dutch-speaking Flemish north and French-speaking Walloon south teamed up to block a bill that sought to split the country in a vote that may clear the way for a new government.
Belgium has languished since June 10 elections without a Cabinet, and coalition talks have stalled over the Flemish side’s unmet demands for more autonomy.
But the vast majority of Flemish members of Parliament rejected a bill brought by the far-right Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) party to split Belgium. Members of the small separatist N-VA and three Flemish Christian Democrats abstained.
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