Vlaams Belang, the far right in Flanders, is experiencing a meteoric rise. The party is expected to win nearly 30% in the elections in Flanders on June 9. That would be unheard of. To try to understand this rise of Belang, Christophe Deborsu investigated for a year at the heart of the Flemish far right, a party hostile above all… to Francophones.
Hatred of Francophones
The first enemy of Vlaams Belang is the Walloons. This feeling manifests itself through inflammatory statements and political actions aimed at excluding Francophones. During various meetings and events, denigrating remarks are used to discredit Francophones. For example, due to high unemployment in the south of the country, Flemish separatists believe that they are pulling Wallonia. They compare themselves to “draft horses“and call the Walloons “holiday ponies“.
This animosity also translates into meetings. As the president, Tom Van Grieken, chants “Rats of the left…”, the cheering crowd screams “Get out!” Vlaams Belang regularly accuses Francophones of being economic parasites. According to them, Flemish prosperity would be undermined by Wallonia, perceived as lazy and dependent.
In a 2019 campaign clip, Walloons were the target of Belang. Represented by cyclists, we discover Germany, the Netherlands and France overtaking Belgium. The “Belgium” cyclist is on a tandem bike: only the Flemish cyclist pedals at the front while towing Wallonia. The comment is provided by the president of the party himself: “The Flemish works very hard and yet our country is not moving forward. We must stop filling the bottomless Walloon holes and financing the migration bill that no one asked for. The Flemish deserves better”. This year, the clip is almost identical: “The very heavy weight of the French-speaking PS hinders our progress”.
For some, this hostility dates back to the First World War. A time when Flemish soldiers were sent to their deaths because they were given orders in French, a language they did not understand.
Proximity to Nazism and collaboration
Vlaams Belang’s past is marked by ambiguous links with Nazism and collaboration during the Second World War. At party commemorations and rallies, salutes reminiscent of those from the Nazi era persist, slogans like “Flanders until death” and references to Nazi collaborators are frequently heard, recalling this dark period.
Videos of parties hosted by party leaders, as well as gatherings such as the ultra-nationalist Diksmuide pilgrimage, show attachment to flamingo symbols. Thus, in its stand, during this gathering, the Leisure Walk bookstore offered, for example, works glorifying figures of collaboration, such as the fascist Wiseman and the Waffen SS volunteer Jack Smeets.
But these extreme ideas remain alive today. Recently, in an interview for the newspaper De TijdTom Van Grieken asserted that Flemish and white Christians must dominate society.
The power of social networks
To gain notoriety and attract a younger audience, Vlaams Belang uses social networks intensively. Platforms like TikTok allow the party to deliver viral messages and content that resonate with young voters. The videos often show party scenes and casual interactions with party leaders.
This digital strategy is accompanied by targeted campaigns on topics popular among young people, such as criticism of left-wing teachers or radical proposals for education. The clever use of social networks has allowed Vlaams Belang to reach a new generation of voters, often more receptive to simple and direct messages.
Propaganda techniques
Vlaams Belang does not just use social networks to promote its ideology. The party also uses traditional propaganda techniques such as distributing free beer, gifts and books at its rallies. These methods aim to create a sense of community and loyalty among supporters.
During these events, t-shirts, flamingo flags and various objects marked with nationalist symbols are distributed to participants. These articles serve to spread the party’s message and strengthen the identity and cohesion of its members. Gatherings often include fiery speeches followed by social moments, like book signings and beer tastings.
Vlaams Belang also targets young people by attracting them with gifts and free entry to amusement parks. These initiatives make it possible to widely disseminate the party’s ideas and strengthen its electoral base from an early age.
Watch the documentary “Are the Flemings far-right?” in Dossiers taboos, this Friday evening at 7:55 p.m. on RTL tvi and RTL play.
vlaams belang christophe deborsu Taboo files
