February 25th, 1950

The much-anticipated day of the referendum has finally arrived. Taking the form of a simple yes/no vote over whether King Leopold III should be allowed to step into power in place of his now deceased brother, who was tragically killed in an automobile accident at the Belgian Grand Prix last year, Prime Minister Eyskens has been careful to clarify that the vote is intended to be advisory, rather than legally binding. However, initial press reports did not contain this clarification, and so there is a widespread rumour that the referendum is legally binding.

Intense campaigning on both sides led up to the referendum. Street violence, which reached a peak in October before the announcement of a referendum, was somewhat cooled in the months leading up to the referendum, with many devoting their efforts instead to campaigning and rallying support. However, Brussels is still a hotbed of activity, with extremists on both the Right and the Left regularly duking it out in street battles. The gendarmerie has had some success in quelling the most extreme attacks, but shootings, stabbings, and even the occasional firebombing of a residence still occur.

The combined Leopoldist, Legalist and rightist "Yes" faction (with some notable Fascist elements) saw much success in their campaign, playing on the fears of those living in Flanders and pockets of pro-Leopoldists in Wallonia. Intense funding from the ruling Christian Social Party, as well as effective fundraising among the Belgian political elite (including, it is rumoured, personal finances from the King himself) meant that the messaging was widespread, with pro-Leopoldist messages being common on radio and television.

The "No" faction, combining Wallonian and leftist influences (including some extremist rattachists and separatists) saw less success, with their campaigning mostly restricted to the most hardcore pro-Wallonian sections of the country. Attacks and threats by pro-Leopoldist militias in Brussels meant that campaigning there was very difficult for the "No" faction, as well as lacking the support of the Belgian political elite.

Results

With a turnout of 96%, the Wallonian effort to spoil ballots or not vote was only very minorly successful, with 2% of ballots being spoiled.

The very narrow victory for King Leopold was split heavily along regional lines. Leopold carried all of the Flemish provinces and some of the Wallonian provinces - mostly those closer to the German border - while losing the majority of Wallonia. He very narrowly lost favor in Brussels itself. Thus, the referendum has split the country among regional and lingual lines, and, with such a narrow victory, provides almost no mandate to the King to continue in power.

Prime Minister Eyskens could not be immediately reached for comment, but former Prime Minister Spaak noted: "This result does no good for the people of Belgium, either Flemish or Wallonian. We must redouble our efforts at compromise and not let the politics of the street rule the hour."