International Journalism

Can a Flemish separatist legitimately serve as Belgium’s Prime Minister?
Caroline Sägesser during our remote interview on November 26, discussing Bart De Wever’s role as Prime Minister.
(Credit: taken by Sabina Marian)

Can a Flemish separatist legitimately serve as Belgium’s Prime Minister?

Belgium’s new Prime Minister Bart De Wever may be a lifelong Flemish nationalist, but according to political researcher Caroline Sägesser, his leadership today is shaped less by ideology than by a strict, almost managerial sense of duty. Her assessment stands with the concerns raised by philosopher Philippe Van Parijs, who recently questioned whether a separatist can truly lead all Belgians. On this subject, Sägesser describes a Prime Minister who has taken the role seriously, yet one who appears unusually joyless and cautious a leader keeping Belgium running, but offering little hope for what comes next.

  Published on November 28, 2025
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