Politics

Belgian King's Speech Angers Separatists

King Albert II warned against "populist" sentiments in his Christmas address

|

(Reuters)—Belgium's king has angered separatists and some constitutional experts by making what they saw as a veiled criticism of the main political party in the Dutch-speaking north.

King Albert II used his Christmas message to warn against "populist" political sentiment that rises during economic crises, drawing parallels with the pre-Nazi era in Europe when foreigners were made scapegoats for the problems.