Belgium

Abstract

AG ALEV and ECOLO, the two Belgian green parties, went into government in 1999. Although they compete in two different party systems, the complex Belgian political structure allowed them to join forces and to reach the threshold of government participation. Once in government, the attitudes and strategies of AGALEV and ECOLO differed. The results, however, are nearly the same: low impact on government policy but an expansion and broadening of the scope of their activities and the network of potential allies. Both green parties have proved that they are able to govern and that they will maintain their potential in office for the foreseeable future.