Divisions within an ethno-regional party: The Volksunie in Belgium

Abstract:

The internal divisions leading to the end of the Volksunie are analysed in order to acquire more insight into the internal divisions within ethno-regional parties. Based on a combination of inter- and intra-party research, five possible sources of internal divisions are revealed and tested. We find three well-defined groups of party members that take an adversarial position to each other on all five possible sources of factionalism. As long as there is an overarching loyalty, sustained by a common belief in the necessity of constitutional reforms, divisions can be overcome. Once the region has been granted more autonomy, intra-party divisions tend to step into the limelight.