The principal obstacle is Bart De Wever, leader of the Flemish nationalist party N-VA, who surprised all by becoming the biggest winner of the 2010 election.

ECONOMIST: Charlemagne

Led by Bart de Wever, a charismatic bruiser, the N-VA's appeal stems precisely from popular exasperation with the messy, unsatisfying compromises of the older political groups.

ECONOMIST: Charlemagne

Today's blockage is unlike previous ones in that an avowedly separatist party, the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), has for the first time become dominant in Flanders.

ECONOMIST: Charlemagne