The reports have often missed the point that, even at its peak – with 24% of the votes – most people in Flanders actively detest the Vlaams Belang. This is not a party like any other, was the phrase often used. Because of its anti-immigrant viewpoints, often bordering on the racist, all other Flemish parties created a cordon sanitaire around the Vlaams Belang, refusing to enter any government with them.

For a long time, this made for even more anti-establishment votes, but it has stood in the way of the party gaining real power. For Vlaams Belang, the days of unlimited growth are over. The campaign in the run-up to the federal elections of 13 June is dominated by another party: N-VA.

This column has often described this party as “the small nationalist N-VA”, but the upcoming result may make this description unfit. Some polls predict a result of up to 20% and more, making it the largest Flemish party. That is quite spectacular for a party that in 2003 struggled to reach the electoral threshold of 5% and only gained one elected representative. A party that doubted its own chances of survival so much that it teamed up with the Christian Democrats for the 2007 elections.

N-VA attracts votes from all traditional parties, as well as from Vlaams Belang, with whom it shares its separatism – but without the xenophobia. The reasons why voters opt for N-VA are various. The most obvious is that they are disgruntled with the attitude of the French speakers in the never-ending talks about BHV and state reform.

N-VA also stands for clean politics, with little in the way of compromise. (Although, over the past couple of weeks, it had its share of twists and turns as well, such as suddenly preferring confederalism over separatism, so as not to scare away voters. Or Geert Bourgeois standing for a seat in the House of Representatives, which he will not occupy, as he will remain in the Flemish government.)

First and foremost is its leader, Bart De Wever, who has the gift of the gab and has gained a large degree of credibility, comparable to that of CD&V’s Yves Leterme in 2007. All of this makes N-VA a party, just like any other. Will the international media pick up on this as well?