They have the same language and share lots of things culturally. Moreover, the current political situation in Belgium is not quite working, the Walloons and Flemish don't want to give anything to each other. But what should be done with Brussels when Flanders is united with the Netherlands or at least becomes independent? I just need lots of pros and cons for my debating class. Thank you soooo musch!!
Netherlands - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
I thought Flanders was from Springfield. Jokes aside, I believe it should stay independent, for the greater good.
2 :
ned flanders?
3 :
Ee gads. Never going to happen!
4 :
I think Flandres could more easily than any of the two other states be united with Netherlands, in fact Flandres has only been part of Belgium for a few hundred years so the cultural ties are not that deep, and as French was made the official language in Flandres where the population spoke a different language, (although it has now changed to both Flemish and French) I think Flandres could benefit. They would be part of a larger country, and with todays borderless regions in the Eu there would not be much point in keeping alive in the few hundred years old alliance called Belgium :-) With Bruxelles itself it would still be EU residence, but if joining the Netherlands could ofcourse not be capital. The problem is ofcourse that the Bryssel area has both a large French speaking and Flemish speaking population, perhaps you could suggest a division like East and West Berlin, or that Bruxelles became an independant EU state like the Vatican State :-) On the other hand Wallonia would be a tiny state but you could suggest it joining Luxembourg or France. Pros would be that the populations would be in countries that actually speak the same language cons that it would be the richest part of Belgium leaving to join Netherlands You could perhaps include something about the independence wars in former Yugoslavia and discuss the problems or fear of armed conflict? Good luck with your debate.
