Analysis: Where now for Belgium?

But what about the broader question - is Belgium heading for a split?

A recent poll of Flemish voters found more than 49% backed a separate Flemish state.

But there are several big factors that I think come into play, and the biggest of those is Brussels.

The largely francophone city, home to the main European institutions, is the economic heart of Belgium.

It is hard to see either side giving it up.

Not to mention how bad it would look if one of the EU's leading lights - dedicated to the end of nationalism and a strong advocate of a federal Europe - suddenly fractured.

When faced with this kind of problem in the past, Belgians have proved skilful at coming up with a compromise to save the day.

Many Belgian commentators still place their trust in the art of compromise - but this time round, it is proving tough to find exactly where that compromise might lie.