Failed States are usually those African countries blamed by westerners for not having started their democratic and economic ascend, ravaged by poverty, corruption and a clear lack of good governance. But what if this vocabulary of “Failed State” could apply to European countries having failed over the last decade to foster growth and radically change their society in the light of the upcoming challenges? This is particularly the case of Belgium, and this is dangerous for the Europe.

Belgium ranks 16th in the world’s biggest economies, thanks to an enjoyable USD 42,596 GDP per capita according to the International Monetary Fund. To that figure we should deduct, with the objection of many economists and rating agencies, the amount of public debt per capita (Belgium’s public debt is actually about 100% of GDP), a very simple calculation, and realize that the country’s status, as many other in Europe, lies in a falsified global image and economic authenticity.

It has been 224 days now since the transitory government took office, the longest since the previous political crisis, that is, as you see, not as uncommon. The King Albert II has a mere role of country coordinator but fails to inspire Belgian people who are anyway not much involved in political matters, a normal and disappointing outcome for old democracies.

But Belgium has a particular responsibility in Europe. Brussels being the capital, this city is also what we usually call the capital of Europe (or the European Union, we should say). In fact, EU institutions, staff and skills are greatly contributing to the wealth of Brussels (even if there are obvious inequalities between the “Euro-District” and other neighborhoods), and Belgium benefits from the image of Europe and from investments from foreign companies wanting to settle at the heart of one of the world’s biggest economy.

Thus, the national debate on the current political crisis and beyond (e.g. putting Belgium back on tracks towards a sustainable economic and social recovery) should not be disconnected from the European debate. Therefore, I would like to praise for an official dialogue, and even a negotiation, between Belgian officials and EU institutions, aiming at imagining and creating a country that works both for Belgians and for Europeans.

Call it an unacceptable interference of EU on what should be a national-only debate. But the situation would not be the same without the EU governing bodies settled in Brussels. This reveals how disconnected EU officials have been towards local politics where they currently live. I believe that this represents a long-time danger for the European construction and the perfect example of how ignorant the institutional world has become to local life.

Stop debating and start putting in place an action plan with José Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Commission. The European Union would undeniably be weakened if Belgium splits and continues to slide as a fainting developed economy. The EU cannot afford this split, but cannot afford the status quo either. Barroso and its Commissioners should offer workable solutions for both national and European dimensions, combined with the expertise that the Belgians proudly demonstrated during their recent EU presidency.

William Spac

Membre des Cabris de l’Europe

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