A quote from Associated Press, 4 September 2007
 
Such is the deadlock between Dutch and French-speaking parties over how to form the next government that mainstream politicians and media are now openly airing the view that Belgium's linguistic camps may be better off divorcing. […] Many Flemish grouse their wealthier, service-based economy subsidizes Wallonia. Dutch-speakers view the Francophones' dilapidated cities and 14 percent unemployment – double their rate – as the legacy of hardline Socialist rule. Dutch-speakers are demanding autonomy in health care, justice and transport – some of the last bastions of central control from Brussels. Many feel the next logical step would be full independence.
 
“Living together in one country is impossible if year after year the minority prevents the majority to realize its most important desires,” Het Laatste Nieuws, Belgium’s largest daily, argued recently. […] A recent VTM television network poll found 46 percent of Flemings favoring independence – the highest level in years due to the linguistic political sniping. Among parties, independence is an official goal only of the far-right Flemish Interest [Vlaams Belang] party but its growing popularity – it won 17 seats in the June voting – has radicalized even mainstream Flemish parties. […]
 
The demise of Belgium would bring this country full circle. In 1912, Jules Destree, a Francophone Socialist, wrote King Albert I a letter saying […] “We have in Belgium Walloons and Flemings. There are no Belgians, sire.”