SPLIT UP

The Flemish Christian democrats dominated Belgian politics for more than 50 years. However, they were ousted from power by a liberal-socialist-green coalition that was formed after the 1999 federal elections. Since then the party has changed its name from the CVP (Christian People's Party) to the CD&V (Christian Democratic and Flemish) and entered into an alliance with the Flemish nationalist party N-VA (New Flemish Alliance). At their conference in Brussels on 19 May the Flemish nationalists said they wanted to be involved in negotiations to make Flanders stronger after the general election. The N-VA also called for more justice and respect and correct attitudes. The N-VA was formed from the more radical wing of the now defunct Flemish nationalist party Volksunie (People's Union), after the Volksunie split in 2001. The alliance currently has ministers in both the Flemish and Greater Brussels regional governments with the Christian democrat Yves Leterme being the current Prime Minister of Flanders. Mr Leterme heads the party's slate for the elections to the Belgian Senate. The N-VA's Geert Bourgeois is the Flemish government minister responsible for administrative affairs, foreign policy, media and tourism. The alliance hopes to form the biggest group in the Federal Parliament, after the elections on 10 June.