Insights to the political world of Belgium

The headlines...
Serge Régnier is a 47-year old Belgian with three wives and thirty children.

The summary...
A story like Régnier’s is probably only possible in the south of Belgium, where a man can spend his life in idleness while the taxpayers provide him with enough income to sustain three women and thirty children.

* Full article available at http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/1775 *

Came across this interesting article, and it provides much insights to the politics of the country. Some interesting issues noted from the article:
° A man with lots of wivies and 30 children. Does love ever exist between them? Other than sex, money, sympathy or whatever...?
° Who are considered as 'invalids'? A man with such vibrant sex life or a paedophile murderer?
° All complaints about high taxes, now we know where the money's gone to. No wonder the Central Station is forever pathetic...
° Capitalist vs Socialist: Belgium is a country in which any major government decision requires approval in both Flanders (Dutch-speaking north) and Wallonia (French-speaking south).
° The community beyond shame...

Weeks before, a mock news flash was broadcasted across the country which declared the independence of the Flanders. It caused much controversy and brought out the sensitivity of the issue between the 2 regions.

Belgium only became a nation in 1830 and its union of Dutch-speaking Flemings in the north and French-speaking Walloons in south was never a love match. Instead, it was a marriage arranged by the great powers bent on creating a neutral buffer state.

* Full article available on http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/12/20/opinion/edmnookin.php *