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Rattachism
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Rattachism (French: Rattachisme, IPA: [ʁataʃism] ⓘ, "reattach-ism") or Reunionism (Réunionisme, IPA: [ʁeynjɔnism] ⓘ, "reunion-ism") is a political ideology which calls for the French-speaking part of Belgium or Wallonia to secede from Belgium and become part of France. Brussels, which is majority French-speaking but enclaved in Flanders, may be included within this ideology; as may the six Flemish municipalities with language facilities for French-speakers around Brussels. It can be considered a French-speaking equivalent of Grootneerlandisme (or, historically, Orangism) in Flanders.[1]
The Rattachist ideology is associated with a faction of the Walloon Movement and is advocated by the political parties Walloon Rally and Wallonia–France Rally. Neither presently have any parliamentary seats.
History and etymology
[edit]The term "rattachism" derives from French rattacher 'reattach', indicating a reunification of what has been separated. This looks back to the former unity of the "French period" (1794–1815).
Present-day Belgium was conquered in 1795 by the French Republic during the French Revolutionary Wars. It was annexed to the Republic, which later became the Napoleonic Empire. After the Battle of Waterloo (1815), Wallonia became part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands under King William of Orange.[2] Following the 1830 Belgian Revolution, Wallonia became a part of the Kingdom of Belgium.[3]
Following the Belgian Revolution, a minority of Walloons called for unification with France.[4] Four newspapers that supported unification were Le Journal de Verviers, Le Journal de la province de Liège, L'Industrie and L'Éclaireur. At this time Rattachists in Verviers were a majority.[5] Rattachists argued that in order to preserve their economic prosperity they must unite with France, and that Wallonia as a region was culturally French.[4] The Regent of Belgium, Érasme-Louis Surlet de Chokier, was a supporter in this period, as was Charles de Brouckère, Charles Rogier and Alexandre Gendebien.[4][5] After the German Prince Leopold I became King of Belgium in 1831, the Rattachists' hopes of unification were dashed.[4]
In 1968, President of France and World War II hero Charles de Gaulle stated that "If one day a political authority representative of Wallonia were to approach France officially, that day we would respond favourably, with full hearts, to a request that appeared legitimate".[6]
Current support
[edit]In France
[edit]A November 2007 poll published by French newspaper La Voix du Nord found about 54% of French respondents support unification with Wallonia. A 2008 poll found support at 60% among respondents.[7]
A 2010 Institut français d'opinion publique (IFOP) poll found that if the Belgian political crisis led to the splitting up of Belgium, 66% of the French respondents would support the unification of Wallonia with France. IFOP has reported that support for unification with France has been rising since 2007.[8]
Modern-day French politicians such as Marine Le Pen, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, Éric Zemmour, Jean-Pierre Chevènement, Nicolas Dupont-Aignan and Jacques Myard have all voiced support for Rattachism. Economist Jacques Attali also supports it.[9][incomplete short citation][10] Past politicians have also supported it, the most important of which being former President Charles de Gaulle.[11]
In Wallonia
[edit]Another IFOP poll taken in 2010 during the Belgian political crisis found that 32% of Walloons surveyed would support unification if Belgium splits up.[12]
Walloon politicians who have at some point voiced support for the idea are Daniel Ducarme, Jean Gol, Claude Eerdekens and Robert Collignon.[13]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Rattachism vs Groot-Neerlandism (Pan-nationalism)". Archived from the original on 18 May 2019. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ^ "A young region with a long history (from 57BC to 1831)". Gateway to the Walloon Region. Walloon Region. 22 January 2007. Archived from the original on 1 May 2008. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
- ^ Belien, Paul (10 March 2014). A Throne in Brussels: Britain, the Saxe-Coburgs and the Belgianisation of Europe. Andrews UK Limited. ISBN 9781845406417. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2019 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c d Jean Stengers, Histoire du sentiment national en Belgique des origines à 1918, t. I : Les Racines de la Belgique : jusqu'à la Révolution de 1830, Bruxelles, Racine, 2000
- ^ a b Els Witte (trad. du néerlandais par Anne-Laure Vignaux), « La Construction de la Belgique : 1828-1847
- ^ Bosher, J. F. (20 April 2019). The Gaullist Attack on Canada, 1967-1997. McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP. ISBN 9780773520257. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2019 – via Google Books.
- ^ kld (10 June 2010). "Twee op drie Fransen willen Wallonië erbij". De Standaard. Archived from the original on 18 May 2019. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ^ "Les Français prêts à un rattachement des Wallons, selon l'Ifop". Reuters. 9 June 2010. Archived from the original on 31 May 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2019 – via fr.reuters.com.
- ^ Mélancolie française by Éric Zemmour
- ^ "Belgique : chronique d'une implosion annoncée". FIGARO. 4 August 2014. Archived from the original on 29 July 2019. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ^ Alain Peyrefitte, C'était de Gaulle, éd. de Fallois, 2000, t. III, p. 329.
- ^ "Un tiers des Wallons prêts à devenir Français". FIGARO. 24 June 2010. Archived from the original on 20 April 2019. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ^ Dekeyser, Frederik (10 May 2012). "Lonken naar het zuiden". Doorbraak.be. Archived from the original on 23 March 2019. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
Rattachism
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Rattachism, or rattachisme in French, is a political ideology advocating the secession of Wallonia—the French-speaking southern region of Belgium—and its reunification with France, emphasizing shared linguistic, cultural, and historical ties.[1] Originating as a strand within the broader Walloon movement, it posits that attachment to Belgium dilutes Walloon identity and economic vitality, given Wallonia's cultural affinity with France and its relative economic underperformance compared to Dutch-speaking Flanders.[2] Proponents argue for preserving French-language dominance and prosperity through integration into France, often framing it as a logical "reattachment" (rattachement) to a nation-state aligned with Walloon heritage.[1] The ideology emerged in the context of Belgium's linguistic divides, gaining traction in the 20th century amid growing regional tensions and the Walloon movement's push for autonomy or separation.[3] It is primarily championed by small political parties such as the Wallonia-France Rally (Rassemblement Wallonie-France), founded in 1999 by Paul-Henry Gendebien to promote partitionism—splitting Belgium with Wallonia joining France—alongside pluralism and republicanism.[4] The Walloon Rally has also historically aligned with rattachist goals, though support remains marginal, reflecting limited electoral success but highlighting persistent frustrations over Belgium's federal structure and economic disparities between regions.[1] Rattachism intersects with broader European irredentist tendencies, surfacing in periods of perceived marginalization for French-speaking communities, yet it faces opposition for challenging Belgian sovereignty and unity.[2] While not achieving mainstream viability, the movement underscores causal factors like cultural affiliation and economic incentives driving regionalist sentiments, with occasional polling indicating varying degrees of sympathy in Wallonia amid ongoing debates over national cohesion.[5]
Overview and Definition
Core Ideology and Principles
Rattachism advocates the voluntary political and administrative union of Wallonia—and potentially Brussels—with France, positioning this as a pragmatic solution to Belgium's institutional dysfunctions and Flemish ascendancy.[6] Proponents argue that Wallonia's French-speaking population shares profound linguistic, cultural, and historical affinities with France, rendering separation from the French cultural sphere artificial and detrimental.[6] This ideology emerged as a faction within the broader Walloon movement, distinguishing itself by favoring reintegration into France over independence or enhanced autonomy within Belgium.[7] At its core, Rattachism emphasizes civic republicanism, drawing on French principles of liberté, égalité, fraternité to promote a non-ethnic, voluntary alignment that preserves Walloon identity while accessing France's economic and institutional strengths.[6] It rejects ethnic nationalism, instead prioritizing cultural and political compatibility, such as shared secularism and democratic pluralism, to counter what adherents view as Belgium's paralyzing confederalism and Flemish-centric policies.[6] Economically, the ideology contends that Wallonia's post-industrial decline—marked by higher unemployment and fiscal transfers to Flanders—would reverse through integration into France's larger market, which ranked fifth globally in GDP as of 2002 projections.[6] Politically, it invokes natural geographic borders and historical precedents, including Wallonia's brief incorporation into French departments under Napoleon and a 1945 Liège plebiscite favoring French union amid post-World War II sentiments.[6] Rattachist principles also include safeguards for implementation, such as negotiated treaties, referendums for democratic legitimacy, and protections for linguistic minorities, while opposing neoliberal globalization and advocating youth investment and European equilibrium via the Franco-German axis.[6] Organizations like the Rassemblement Wallonie-France (RWF), founded in 1999, embody these tenets, framing the movement as a forward-looking response to Belgium's 1990s state reforms that exacerbated regional imbalances.[6] Despite marginal electoral support—RWF garnering under 1% in regional elections—the ideology persists as a critique of Belgian federalism's failure to equitably address Wallonia's socioeconomic challenges.[8]Distinction from Other Walloon Movements
Rattachism fundamentally differs from mainstream Walloon movements in its irredentist objective of detaching Wallonia from Belgium to integrate it as a region of France, rather than pursuing enhanced regional autonomy or federal reforms within the Belgian state.[2] While autonomist Walloon parties, such as the historical Rassemblement Wallon (active in the 1960s–1970s), sought devolution of powers to Wallonia to address linguistic and economic disparities without secession, rattachist groups like the Rassemblement Wallonie-France (RWF), founded in 1999, emphasize reunification based on shared Francophone culture, language, and historical precedents such as the French annexation of Wallonia from 1795 to 1815.[9] This contrasts with the broader Walloon Movement's focus on asserting a distinct Walloon identity through cultural promotion and political decentralization inside Belgium, often aligned with parties like the Parti Socialiste (PS) that prioritize federal bargaining over external alignment.[2] Ideologically, rattachists reject the notion of Walloon nationhood as insufficient for independent statehood, viewing Belgium as an artificial construct exacerbated by Flemish dominance and economic shifts, and instead prioritize absorption into France for greater viability.[9] In opposition, other Walloon regionalist currents, including those advocating confederalism or even limited separatism, aim to preserve or elevate Wallonia's status within a reconfigured Belgium, avoiding the perceived cultural dilution of joining a larger French entity.[2] Rattachism's marginal electoral performance—such as the RWF's 0.5% vote share in the 2014 regional elections—underscores its fringe status compared to autonomist approaches, though polls indicate conditional support rising to 30–40% among Walloons in scenarios of Belgian dissolution.[9][10] This distinction highlights rattachism's pan-Francophone orientation over the ethno-regional self-determination central to most Walloon activism.[2]Historical Origins
Etymology and Early Concepts
The term rattachisme derives from the French verb rattacher, meaning "to reattach," encapsulating the proposal to reunite Wallonia with France by evoking prior historical integrations, such as the annexation of the Austrian Netherlands (including Walloon territories) to France from 1795 to 1815 during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.[11] This linguistic construction, a Belgian neologism, emphasizes a perceived return to cultural and administrative affinity rather than a novel merger, distinguishing it from pure irredentism.[12] Early concepts of rattachism crystallized during the Belgian Revolution of 1830, when insurgents against Dutch rule in the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, galvanized by France's July Revolution, dispatched envoys to Paris seeking incorporation or personal union with France under a Bourbon-Orléans prince.[13] French King Louis-Philippe initially expressed sympathy but ultimately declined direct annexation to avert conflict with Britain, Russia, and Prussia, prompting the revolutionaries to declare Belgian independence on October 4, 1830, under international guarantees formalized at the London Conference.[14] These events marked the first organized expression of Walloon-aligned sentiments favoring French alignment over separation from Flemish regions or full autonomy, rooted in shared Romance language, Roman heritage, and resentment toward Protestant Dutch dominance.[11] Proponents framed the idea through first-hand recollections of French governance's economic and legal reforms, contrasting them with post-1815 Dutch centralization policies that marginalized French-speaking southern provinces.[15] Though marginalized after 1831 by the new Kingdom of Belgium's unitary structure, these notions persisted among francophile intellectuals, laying groundwork for later Walloon identity debates without yet forming a cohesive movement.[16]Emergence in the 19th and Early 20th Centuries
The Walloon movement originated in the late 19th century as a response to growing Flemish linguistic and political demands within Belgium. Following Belgian independence in 1830, French served as the primary language of administration, education, and the elite across the country, including in Flanders, where Dutch speakers formed the majority. However, the Flemish movement gained momentum with the Coup d'État flamand of 1878, which introduced Dutch in primary education in Flanders, and the 1887-1890 laws establishing Dutch as an official language in Flemish provinces. Walloon intellectuals, facing perceived threats to French-language dominance, formed organizations such as the Association populaire wallonne in Liège in 1880 to defend francophone interests and promote regional cultural identity.[17] While early Walloon activism focused on linguistic defense and cultural revival rather than territorial separation, affinities with France—rooted in shared language, history under French rule from 1795 to 1815, and economic ties—laid groundwork for more radical ideas. The term "Wallonie" itself gained currency in the 1840s through poets and regionalists like Joseph Gonze, emphasizing a distinct southern identity, though without explicit calls for political reunion. By the turn of the century, economic industrialization in Wallonia contrasted with agricultural Flanders, fostering arguments that alignment with France could better sustain prosperity amid Belgian internal divisions.[18] Rattachism as a distinct ideology advocating Wallonia's attachment (rattachement) to France emerged prominently in the early 20th century. In 1902, diplomat and writer Albert du Bois (1872–1940) published Le Catéchisme du Wallon: Nos droits, nos devoirs, nos espérances, a seminal pamphlet asserting Wallonia's inherent French character. Du Bois argued that Walloons shared ethnic, linguistic, and cultural bonds with France, portraying Belgium as an artificial construct dominated by clerical and Flemish influences that hindered Walloon progress. He called for reunion with France to safeguard economic vitality and francophone heritage, marking one of the first systematic political articulations of rattachist principles within the Walloon movement.[17][19]Development Through the 20th Century
Interwar Period and World War II Influences
During the interwar period, Rattachism remained marginal within the Walloon movement, overshadowed by demands for autonomy or federalism amid economic stagnation in Wallonia and Flemish political ascendancy. The Concentration Wallonne, active from 1930 to 1937, prioritized economic independence but witnessed increasing advocacy for attachment to France by 1936 among some members seeking cultural preservation. Abbé Jules Mahieu, a priest and fervent Walloon activist, emerged as a leading proponent; he established the Parti Wallon Indépendant on April 2, 1939, which secured under 10,000 votes in legislative elections that year. Relocating to France on July 20, 1939, Mahieu promptly submitted a memorandum urging Wallonia's annexation, invoking shared linguistic and historical bonds to counter Belgian centralism.[20] Georges Thone reinforced these efforts after joining the Walloon movement in 1932 and directing L’Action wallonne from 1933 to 1940, a publication that critiqued Belgian unity and aligned Walloon interests with France. These initiatives reflected broader interwar tensions, including post-World War I linguistic conflicts, but lacked mass support, positioning Rattachism as an intellectual rather than electoral force.[20] World War II's German occupation amplified rattachist outreach, as militants exploited chaos to petition French authorities for reunion, viewing it as salvation from Flemish irredentism and Belgian dissolution. In July 1940, Mahieu presented a memorandum to Marshal Philippe Pétain proposing Wallonia's integration into France—encompassing 16,000 km² and 3 million residents—while suggesting Flanders join the Netherlands; he framed it as ethnic realignment, including population transfers of francophone elements from Flanders southward and germanic-named individuals adopting French surnames, positioning Wallonia as recompense for Alsace-Lorraine's loss. Thone similarly forwarded reports to Vichy officials through channels like the Bureau Sarrien, sustaining advocacy into January 1943 and securing endorsements from major Walloon unions (miners, metallurgists, transport workers) by September 1942 via propaganda from figures like the Van Belle brothers.[20][15] Parallel Gaullist overtures, such as Mahieu's 1942 Lisbon meetings with General Valin and François Simon's 1944 Alger mission to the Comité Français de la Libération Nationale, proposed dedicated Walloon sections but faced rejection owing to Allied pledges to Belgian sovereignty. Vichy expressed sporadic interest—evident in 1941 Franco-German talks involving Admiral Darlan—but Pétain disavowed separation rumors on October 22, 1941, and no territorial gains materialized. The February 1943 formation of the Rassemblement Démocratique et Socialiste Wallon underscored wartime momentum toward French integration, blending resistance (e.g., Wallonie Libre's international rattachist stance from May 1941) with opportunism; these dynamics, though thwarted, embedded Rattachism deeper in Walloon discourse, foreshadowing its post-liberation prominence.[21][20]Post-1945 Walloon National Congress
The Congrès national wallon, convened on 20 and 21 October 1945 in Liège, represented the first postwar assembly of Walloon intellectuals, politicians, and activists from socialist and non-socialist backgrounds, aimed at addressing Wallonia's political status amid Belgium's post-liberation instability and the ongoing royal question.[22] Attended by over 1,000 delegates, the event sought to assert Walloon identity and deliberate options including regional independence, enhanced autonomy or federalism within Belgium, and reunification with France, reflecting lingering resentments over Flemish dominance in Belgian institutions and economic grievances from wartime collaboration dynamics.[23] In an initial non-binding vote characterized as "sentimental" to gauge preferences on Wallonia's orientation, 486 of 1,048 participants supported attachment to France, equating to roughly 46% of the total; approximately 40% favored expanded autonomy while remaining in Belgium, and 14% endorsed full independence.[22] This outcome highlighted a surge in rattachist advocacy, fueled by cultural affinity with France and perceptions of Belgium's unitary structure as disadvantaging Wallonia's French-speaking majority, though subsequent ballots and debates shifted focus amid concerns over legal constitutionality and immediate geopolitical constraints.[24] Ultimately, the congress adopted by acclamation a resolution demanding provisional autonomy for Wallonia within Belgium, coupled with expressions of amity toward France, deferring more radical changes until resolution of national crises like the monarchy's restoration.[25][23] Lacking formal authority under Belgian law, the gathering served primarily as a symbolic platform that reinvigorated rattachism within the Walloon movement, influencing later autonomist and separatist discourses without immediate policy impact.[24][22]Revival in the 1960s–1990s
The resurgence of rattachism in the 1960s coincided with intensified economic challenges in Wallonia, including deindustrialization and the 1960–1961 general strike, which amplified grievances against perceived Flemish dominance in Belgian politics. These factors spurred a broader revival of Walloon regionalism, culminating in the founding of the Rassemblement Wallon (RW) in 1968 as a merger of autonomist and cultural groups seeking to defend Walloon interests.[26] While the RW's platform emphasized regional autonomy and federal reforms, rattachism emerged as a notable internal current, reflecting frustrations with Belgium's unitary structure.[27] In the 1970s, the RW attained peak influence, capturing approximately 21% of the vote in select Walloon areas during early regional contests and participating in coalition governments from 1974 to 1977. This electoral strength elevated rattachist arguments within party debates, positioning attachment to France as an alternative to ongoing state reforms amid linguistic and economic divides.[27] [28] The 1980s brought decline for the RW due to internal splits over federalism versus more radical separatism, with rattachists increasingly marginalized as the party fragmented and its remnants integrated into mainstream francophone parties. By the 1990s, advancing Belgian federalization diminished immediate appeal for rattachism, confining it to academic discourse and small advocacy circles, though figures like Paul-Henry Gendebien continued promoting the ideology through writings and activism, laying groundwork for explicitly rattachist formations.[29]Ideological Foundations
Cultural and Linguistic Arguments
Rattachist advocates highlight the shared French language as a core linguistic bond, with Wallonia's population of over 4 million French-speakers aligning seamlessly with France's linguistic framework.[30] This unity is contrasted with Belgium's bilingual structure, where Dutch-speaking Flemish influence is perceived to undermine French vitality.[31] Proponents argue that attachment to France would bolster defenses against external pressures like anglicization, preserving Walloon French dialects akin to northern French varieties such as Picard.[32] Culturally, rattachistes point to profound affinities in mentalities, customs, and historical experiences, including Wallonia's incorporation into France from 1795 to 1814 during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic eras, which they view as a voluntary alignment.[31][33] Essayist Jules Gheude, a rattachist militant, invokes historian Félix Rousseau's observation of Walloons' seven centuries of fidelity to French culture, positioning Wallonia within France's enduring cultural orbit.[33] Paul-Henry Gendebien contends that Walloon identity embodies French republican and democratic principles, transcending ethnic ties and obscured by post-1830 Belgian assimilation.[30] Such arguments frame reunion as a means to restore cultural pride and heritage continuity, avoiding dilution in a fragmented Belgian context dominated by Flemish priorities.[32][31]Economic and Political Rationales
Proponents of Rattachism argue that Wallonia's economic stagnation, marked by deindustrialization since the 1970s and a public debt reaching 257% of regional GDP in 2025, stems from structural disadvantages within Belgium's federal system, where fiscal transfers from wealthier Flanders—estimated at €6-10 billion annually—mask but do not resolve underlying productivity gaps and high unemployment rates exceeding 8% in Wallonia compared to under 4% in Flanders.[34][31][35] These transfers, proponents claim, are increasingly precarious amid Flemish demands for fiscal autonomy, rendering Walloon independence economically unviable even if paired with Brussels, as the region lacks sufficient scale for self-sustaining growth.[31][35] Attachment to France, rattachists maintain, would secure long-term viability by embedding Wallonia in a larger national economy with GDP per capita around €38,000 (2023 figures), enabling access to French investment funds, supply chains, and EU structural aids without the bilingual frictions of Belgian governance that hinder regional reforms.[31][36] This integration is seen as causally preferable to continued subsidization by Flanders, which fosters dependency rather than innovation, potentially allowing Wallonia to leverage France's centralized policies for infrastructure and industrial revitalization akin to post-war reconstructions in French regions.[37][31] On political grounds, rattachists highlight shared francophone heritage—including linguistic unity and historical precedents like the 1795–1814 incorporation into the French Republic—as a foundation for seamless alignment, contrasting with Belgium's federalism, which amplifies Flemish-Dutch dominance and perpetuates institutional gridlock, as seen in government formation delays exceeding 500 days in 2010–2011.[31][8] The ideology posits that reunion would resolve Wallonia's marginalization by aligning with French republican institutions, which emphasize unitary statehood over confederal compromises, thereby enhancing diplomatic weight and military security under France's NATO and EU roles without risking sovereignty dilution.[31][38] This view gained early traction at the 1945 Walloon National Congress, where 486 of 1,048 delegates initially supported reunion before opting for federalism in a revised vote.[31]Criticisms and Counterarguments
Challenges from Belgian Unitarians
Belgian unitarists, advocating for a centralized and cohesive Belgian state over federal fragmentation, have consistently opposed Rattachism as a threat to national integrity. They argue that Wallonia's historical integration into Belgium since the 1830 Belgian Revolution has forged a distinct national identity separate from France, with shared institutions and economic ties that predate modern regionalism.[39] This perspective views Rattachism not as a natural affinity but as a reactive minority ideology, often amplified during political crises like the 2007–2010 government stalemates, yet lacking broad legitimacy due to Wallonia's never having existed as a French territory in its current form.[39] Economically, unitarists highlight Belgium's internal interdependence as a bulwark against secession, noting that northern transfers to the south—totaling 6.2 billion euros in 2019—sustain Walloon public services and consumption of Flemish goods, which separation would disrupt.[39] Federalism itself, they contend, has already imposed 10 billion euros in annual administrative costs without resolving linguistic divides, while Rattachism would exacerbate debt redistribution, border disputes, and loss of EU membership under Treaty on European Union Article 4.2, requiring a two-thirds parliamentary majority for any territorial change.[39] Culturally, Belgian Walloons exhibit hybrid identities, evidenced by Dutch surnames in southern regions and resistance to full assimilation into French centralism, which unitarists see as more rigid than Belgium's balanced bilingual framework.[39] Public opinion data reinforces these challenges, with polls showing minimal Rattachist support—around 5–16% in Wallonia and lower elsewhere—contrasted by 60–80% favoring Belgian unity, including 63% in Flanders per a 2021 Vrije Universiteit Brussel/Universiteit Antwerpen survey.[39] Unitarists attribute Rattachism's persistence to "particratie" (party-driven politics) rather than genuine separatism, warning that it echoes failed models like Yugoslavia's dissolution, and propose a unitary state with linguistic protections as the path to stability over divisive regionalism.[39]Objections from Independent Walloon Nationalists
Independent Walloon nationalists, who seek the full secession of Wallonia from Belgium to form a sovereign state, criticize Rattachism for denying the distinct national character of the Walloons and reducing them to a regional subset of France. They argue that Wallonia possesses a unique identity shaped by its indigenous Walloon language dialects, historical autonomy predating Belgian statehood, and post-1993 institutional competencies in areas such as environmental policy and agriculture, which would be subsumed under France's unitary framework.[40] This perspective views Rattachism as a form of cultural erasure, prioritizing linguistic affinity with France over the preservation of Walloon specificity, including folklore, regional governance traditions, and economic models like high unionization rates (around 70% in Wallonia compared to 7% in France).[40] Proponents of Walloon independence further contend that attachment to France would forfeit genuine self-determination, as Wallonia's federal experience equips it for standalone sovereignty within the European Union, potentially with confederal ties to Flanders for economic interdependence, rather than peripheral status in a larger French polity.[40] They highlight practical incompatibilities, such as disruptions to Wallonia's social security systems and legal traditions, which have evolved separately from French norms, and dismiss Rattachist economic promises as overstated given ongoing trade links with Flanders.[40] Groups like the Mouvement pour l'Indépendance Wallonne emphasize that true Walloon nationalism rejects both Belgian unitarism and French irredentism, advocating instead for independence to address regional grievances without external dependency. These objections frame Rattachism as a minority factional deviation within the broader Walloon movement, historically marginal compared to autonomist or separatist currents.Practical and Legal Barriers
Legal secession of Wallonia from Belgium to join France faces formidable constitutional hurdles under the Belgian framework. The Belgian Constitution lacks provisions for unilateral regional secession, embedding Wallonia within a federal structure of Communities and Regions as per Article 1. Achieving separation would necessitate a constitutional revision via the special procedure outlined in Articles 194 and 195: a parliamentary declaration of revision, dissolution of the chambers, fresh elections, and approval by two-thirds majorities in both the Chamber of Representatives and Senate, effectively requiring broad consensus across Flemish and federal levels, which rattachist advocates lack. Compounding this, any territorial transfer to France would invoke international law principles favoring border stability, as affirmed in the International Court of Justice's 2010 Kosovo advisory opinion, which emphasizes remedial secession only in extreme cases of oppression—conditions not met in Wallonia's devolved autonomy. France's acceptance would further demand domestic ratification, potentially under Article 53 of its Constitution for territorial modifications, subjecting it to parliamentary scrutiny and likely rejection given no expressed governmental interest. Practically, rattachism confronts negligible electoral viability, with proponent parties like the Rassemblement Wallonie-France securing under 0.5% of votes in regional elections as recently as 2019, reflecting marginal mobilization. Public support remains conditional and minority: a 2011 Journal du Dimanche poll showed 39% of Walloons favoring attachment to France only if Belgium dissolves, while consistent surveys since indicate no sustained majority, often dipping below 30% in non-crisis periods.[41] Economic integration poses additional logistical challenges, including reallocating Belgium's public debt (over €600 billion as of 2023, per capita higher than France's) and harmonizing Wallonia's subsidized welfare system—reliant on Flemish transfers estimated at €6-10 billion annually—with France's, potentially straining French budgets amid Wallonia's 8.5% unemployment rate in 2024 versus France's 7.4%. Administrative overhauls, such as aligning legal codes, currencies (both eurozone but with distinct fiscal policies), and Brussels's status as a contested bilingual enclave, would incur prohibitive costs and provoke Flemish opposition, risking partition disputes.Political Organizations and Advocacy
Major Parties and Groups
The Rassemblement Wallonie-France (RWF), founded in 1999, serves as the primary political party explicitly advocating for the attachment of Wallonia to France.[42] Led initially by Paul-Henry Gendebien until his death on May 3, 2024, at age 84, the party promotes full integration while emphasizing Walloon cultural preservation within a French framework.[43] Despite its clear platform, the RWF has achieved minimal electoral success, consistently receiving less than 1% of votes in regional and national elections since its inception.[44] Historically, Rattachist sentiments influenced broader Walloon parties like the Rassemblement Wallon (RW) in the 1960s and 1970s, where a faction pushed for reunion with France amid economic grievances and cultural affinity, contributing to the RW's peak of nearly 20% support in some elections.[45] However, the RW primarily favored federalism over outright Rattachism, leading to internal divisions and the eventual dominance of autonomist positions. Gendebien, a key RW figure, later broke away to form the RWF to pursue uncompromised reunionism. Other minor groups, such as Wallonie+ (W+), emerged in the early 2000s advocating a negotiated attachment as an associated state to France with retained autonomies, but it remained marginal and inactive in recent years.[46] Beyond formal parties, informal networks and associations periodically revive Rattachist advocacy during Belgian political crises, though they lack structured organization or electoral presence.[8] No major Belgian political parties endorse Rattachism, confining it to fringe status within Walloon politics.Key Figures and Activities
Paul-Henry Gendebien (1939–2024), a Belgian aristocrat and politician from Hainaut, emerged as a leading proponent of rattachism over four decades, transitioning from Walloon nationalism to advocating Wallonia's union with France.[47] He served as president of the Rassemblement Wallonie-France (RWF) during its 2010 refounding and remained active until his death in May 2024.[48] François Perin (1921–2013), a professor of constitutional law and former Belgian senator, co-founded the Rassemblement Wallon in 1968 but later embraced rattachism, viewing Belgium as "incurably ill" and favoring Wallonia's attachment to France, especially in scenarios of Flemish separation.[49] In August 2011, at age 90, he publicly stated his desire for Wallonia to join France if Belgium dissolved.[50] Laurent Brogniet has led the RWF since at least 2014, focusing on electoral participation and public advocacy for transforming Wallonia into a French region amid Belgian federalization efforts.[9] Rattachist activities primarily revolve around the RWF, established in November 1999 in response to Flemish demands for confederalism, issuing manifestos calling for Wallonia and Brussels to prepare for union with France through referendums.[6] The party contests Walloon and Brussels regional elections but has secured no parliamentary seats, maintaining a marginal presence with vote shares below 1%.[9] Advocacy includes publications, public statements during Belgian government crises, and appeals to French political figures sympathetic to the cause, though without formal diplomatic engagement from France.[51]Current Status and Prospects
Levels of Public Support
Public support for Rattachism in Wallonia is limited and largely contingent on acute Belgian political instability, with opinion polls recording peaks below 50% during crises but negligible electoral translation. A 2008 survey commissioned by Le Soir and La Voix du Nord, amid a prolonged government formation deadlock, reported 49% of Walloons favoring attachment to France if Belgium were to dissolve.[52] Subsequent polls during the 2010-2011 crisis, which saw 541 days without a federal government, showed lower figures: an Ifop survey post-2010 elections found 32% support among 502 Walloon respondents over 18 years old, while a July 2011 Ifop poll for Le Journal du Dimanche indicated 39% favorability in a breakup scenario.[53][41][54] Electorally, advocacy groups like Rassemblement Wallonie-France have garnered under 1% of votes in federal and regional elections since 1999, failing to secure parliamentary seats and reflecting minimal committed backing.[55] Absent recent nationwide polls since 2011—coinciding with relative Belgian stability—support appears situational rather than structural, tied to frustrations with Flemish dominance rather than enduring preference for French integration. In contrast, French public opinion has shown stronger sympathy, with 60% expressing favorability in the 2011 Ifop poll.[56]Recent Developments and Contextual Factors
In April 2025, Martin Bosma, president of the Dutch House of Representatives and a member of the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV), proposed partitioning Belgium by annexing the Flemish region to the Netherlands while allowing Wallonia to join France, a suggestion he made during a diplomatic dinner with the French ambassador to the Netherlands, François Alabrune.[57][34] Bosma did not retract the idea when questioned by media, framing it as a topic suitable for such informal discussions, though it aligned with longstanding Flemish nationalist aspirations for closer ties to the Netherlands expressed by figures like N-VA leader Bart De Wever.[57] This statement prompted brief media commentary in Belgium, France, and the Netherlands on the feasibility of Rattachism, including analyses of potential cultural and economic gains for France (such as reclaiming fiscal exiles and Walloon gastronomic traditions) alongside burdens like higher regional debt and unemployment.[34] However, it elicited no substantive policy responses from Belgian or French governments and highlighted Rattachism's persistence as a marginal, speculative notion rather than an active agenda. The formation of Belgium's federal government on January 31, 2025—eight months after the June 2024 elections—underscored ongoing linguistic and ideological divides exacerbating Rattachist discourse, with Flemish parties like N-VA securing the premiership under De Wever amid demands for further devolution toward confederalism.[58][59] These negotiations focused on fiscal reforms to address Belgium's deficit but revealed persistent Walloon-Flemish tensions over resource transfers, with Flanders contributing disproportionately to national finances.[59] Economically, Wallonia's challenges provide contextual rationale for Rattachist arguments: in Q4 2024, regional unemployment stood at 8% compared to 3.8% in Flanders, while Wallonia's public debt reached 257% of GDP versus Flanders' 58%; projected growth for 2024 was 1.3% in Wallonia against 1.4-1.6% in Flanders, reflecting long-term industrial decline and lower productivity.[34][60] Despite such disparities fueling fringe advocacy, Rattachism remains electorally negligible, with proponent parties like Rassemblement Wallonie-France historically garnering under 1.5% of votes, and no recent Walloon polls indicate majority support.[34] On the French side, an IFOP survey found 54% of respondents favorable to absorption in a Belgian crisis scenario, though this reflects historical irredentism more than active policy.[61]References
- https://handwiki.org/wiki/Social:Rattachism