This is a summary of Politico’s and FT projections of the voting today in Belgium:
Belgium – The Projections
If turnout of 89.64% is maintained in this vote, Politico predicts the N-VA will beat second placed CD&V by 491,569 votes. That is just 39.07% of the 1,258,143 expected non-voters.
The N-VA is expected to win 4 seats. The CD&V two seats. Total number of seats is 21
Belgium – The Issues
Belgium will go to the polls for European, federal and regional elections, a vote that is expected to underline the divisions between the country’s French-speaking south and Dutch-speaking north.
The nature of this political “super Sunday” means there is limited scope for parties to run a distinct European campaign, although migration will weigh heavily as an election issue given the hardline stance of the Flemish nationalist New Flemish Alliance (N-VA).
For prime minister Charles Michel, the poll will test how far his controversial decision to govern with the N-VA has alienated his liberal Reformist Movement (MR) party’s voters. Mr Michel is increasingly tipped for a top EU job after the elections. (FT)
