Economist.com Cities Guide: Brussels Briefing - July 2005

News this month

Trouble at home

Among the many consequences of the European Union's current troubles, the fraying Benelux axis seems to have generated little chatter. For years Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg have sought to operate as an informal alliance within the EU. The three smallish nations, sandwiched between France and Germany, have often shared interests; they have always met before EU summits to co-ordinate their position. The hope was for Benelux to be as big a player as the French, Germans or British are individually.

But it is increasingly clear that the three countries have different agendas. The Belgians (and Luxembourgers) are still passionate European federalists, drawn to the Franco-German position on everything from the Iraq war to the future of the EU. The Dutch, by contrast, are increasingly drawn to the Atlanticism, free-market policies and anti-federalism traditionally associated with Britain. They underlined their new-found Euroscepticism when they voted overwhelmingly to reject the proposed new EU constitution. This vote provoked a row with their Belgian neighbours. Karel De Gucht, the Belgian foreign minister, blamed the vote on the Dutch prime minister, Jan Peter Balkenende, whom he called “a cross between Harry Potter and a rigid little bourgeois.” The enraged Dutch recalled their ambassador from Brussels, prompting Mr De Gucht to make a hasty, if unconvincing, apology.

A byword for acrimony?

Brussels has long been home to the EU’s key institutions and, more recently, all the summits of EU leaders. Judging by the last meeting, from June 16th to the early hours of June 18th, it is something of a mixed blessing, as the Brussels summits threaten to become bywords for acrimonious and futile discussions.

The latest broke down after a row over the EU budget. The two main antagonists were Britain and France: the French want the British to contribute more to the budget; the British say they will do so if EU programmes that favour France (in particular agricultural subsidies) are sharply cut back. Battle will begin again at the next summit in Brussels in October.

Greying, looking for grace

Like many European countries, Belgium is increasingly concerned about the costs of maintaining its welfare state in the face of slow economic growth and an aging population. Guy Verhofstadt, the Belgian prime minister, has convened a series of meetings on the subject, and is concentrating on trying to combat his compatriots’ tendency to retire early. In 2003, only 28.1% of Belgians between the ages of 55 and 64 were still working, compared to an EU average of over 40%. Belgian law encourages early retirement from the age of 52 onwards; ministers want to raise the minimum retirement age to 58.

A critical minority

Most Belgians are in favour of the EU constitution, but dissenters have a new mouthpiece. A controversial new book by Paul Belien, a Belgian academic and journalist, argues that there are strong, unflattering similarities between the country and the EU. In “A Throne in Brussels: Britain, the Saxe-Coburgs and the Belgianisation of Europe”, Dr Belien’s thesis is that both are artificial constructs: failed attempts to construct a nation out of different peoples with different languages and traditions. Both Brussels and the EU, he argues, are doomed to fail and ultimately break-up. Such subversive ideas have made him something of a hero among British Eurosceptics, but have placed him beyond the pale in his native Belgium, where his book has scarcely been reviewed.

Freed

The release of Florence Aubenas, a journalist for the French newspaper Liberation who was held hostage in Iraq for several months, has been greeted with joy in Belgium. Although Ms Aubenas lives and works in France, she was born in Belgium and her Belgian mother played a prominent part in the campaign for her release. She emerged from 157 days in captivity, much of it spent bound and gagged in a cellar, in remarkably good spirits. The French government has denied paying a ransom.

Catch if you can

July 2005

Made in Belgium

Until December 31st 2005

Centennials, bicentennials, even sesquicentennials: these are noteworthy dates. Not so, traditionally, a 175th anniversary, but the Belgian government is craftily using that landmark—Belgium gained independence in 1830—to encourage a generally modest nation to celebrate itself. Central to the celebrations is this large exhibition on the country's history and achievements. The objects on display range from medieval swords and paintings by Old Masters to the tennis racquet used by Justine Henin-Hardenne, a Belgian tennis star, at the 2004 Olympics. Tintin, naturally, puts in an appearance, as does Victor Horta, the country's most famous architect. The exhibition, which has been raking in the crowds, is as good an opportunity as any to get a fix on what it means to be Belgian.

Dexia Art Centre, 50 rue de l'Ecuyer, Brussels 1000. Tel: +32 (0) 8788-1000. Entry: €10. Open: Tues-Sun, 10am-7pm (Weds to 8pm).

More from the Brussels cultural calendar