If Belgium were to split, Brussels folks prefer that their city become an independent region, according to a new a survey conducted by Ipsos on behalf of Le Soir, RTL-TVi, VTM and De Morgen. 66% of respondents claimed that in the event of Flanders going independent they would like to see a Brussels city state. 26% want the capital to unite with Wallonia, and only 6% said that it should be part of a new Flanders.
In Flanders, the opinion appears divided: 42% of respondents also prefer the option of an independent Brussels, against 44% who want a union with Flanders.
61% of Walloons believe that Brussels must join its destiny to Wallonia, against 37% who prefer an independent Brussels.
As for the future of a united country, 66% Belgians believe that Belgium can/should survive. 64% of Flemings think that Belgium has a future. In Wallonia, the proportion is 69%, and even higher in Brussels at 70%.
In Wallonia and Brussels confidence has dropped slightly since a similar survey conducted in 2011, where the figures were 74% and 79% respectively.
(The survey was conducted between 13 and 19 March, with a sample of 2,499 Belgians over the age of 18. The margin of error is 3.1% in Flanders and Wallonia, and 4.2% in Brussels.)
Photos: Floral carpet: Wouter Hagens
Manneken Pis: gildemax.
