The Brussels Puzzle

... The central government has retained only the right to acquire information on the above matters. However, powerful Flemish elites, influenced by the growing economic might of their region, were unwilling to finance the economically and socially weaker Wallonia and set out to legislatively consolidate the confederation concept. They would like to see each part of Belgium self-financed, with no significant allocations channeled to the center. The idea was naturally rejected by the Walloon elites of all party and regional traits. Hence, over the past 10-15 years, the Flemish initiative has resulted into an escalating ...