ABSTRACT
Belgian federalism is characterized by a ‘falling apart’ evolution. This chapter discusses the core data regarding the COVID-19 crisis, such as the number of infections and the economic impact. During the first wave, Belgium was hit quite hard by the virus, compared to other countries in Western Europe. COVID-19 struck Belgium less hard than Spain and Italy, but, in many respects, a lot harder than its neighbors France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Belgium has been transformed from a unitary state to a federal state following six state reforms since 1970. It is an atypical federation featuring a double layer of constituent units. The Belgian territory is divided into three Regions: the Flemish Region, Walloon Region, and Brussels Capital Region. The start of the second wave in August and September coincided with the final months of the federal care-taker government. Sixteen months after the elections, the leaders of seven political parties were finally able to install a new federal government.
