Managing the Covid-19 Crisis in a Divided Belgian Federation

The virus outbreak hit Belgium in the middle of a political crisis, after elections that put the confederalism debate back on the table. Combined with the decentralised and dual form of Belgian federalism, it was to be expected that the sub-states would take a prominent role in the fight against the spread of the virus. Instead, the virus turned out to be an external factor that, for the time being, reshaped de jure dual federalism into de facto cooperative federalism, with the federal authorities taking the lead after coordination with the sub-states. However, in the absence of an adequate pre-existing legal framework for coordinated crisis management, decision-making suffered from a lack of unity of command and from confusion about the distribution of competences. Lessons are to be learned in view of an upcoming seventh state reform. Preferably, reformers provide clarity on the allocation of competences, develop clear and efficient schemes for coordination and cooperation and lines of command in crisis management policies, and also factor in the local level. © 2022 selection and editorial matter, Nico Steytler.