Since the June elections, we have seen a preformateur, two royal mediators and a high-level working group, having already become familiar with a royal explorer as well as a royal guide.

And now the king has bestowed upon Bart De Wever a mission "to clarify the positions of the seven negotiating parties," which makes him a royal clarifier. It sounds like the title of a John Grisham thriller.

Meanwhile, a new electoral poll has been published, which reveals astonishing figures. If elections were to be held today, no less than 33% of the Flemish electorate would vote for De Wever's nationalist N-VA. That is spectacular for a party that in 2003 struggled to get above the 5% electoral threshold and shortly afterwards, to ensure its survival, shaped a cartel with the Christian Democrat party CD&V.

Much of this has to do with De Wever's larger-than-life personality, which is also reflected in another result. Asked who they would like to see as prime minister, some 33% opted for De Wever (although he, in fact, would rather leave that post to the French-speaking socialist Elio Di Rupo).

N-VA has become a true people's party, the way the Christian Democrats once were, representing people from all walks of life and holding sometimes opposing views. In fact, only one in five of those who say they would vote for the party support the idea of Flemish independence, even though that is N-VA's ultimate goal. The rest merely want more Flemish autonomy, while a small percentage wants exactly the opposite: a return to a unitary Belgium.

N-VA therefore faces the same paradoxthatCD&Vencountered in the past: its supporters press for an end to the seemingly everlasting talks on state reform, while at the same time urging the party "not to give in." How can you do both?

Flanders' most popular politician may have broad shoulders, but the weight of responsibility that rests on them is enormous. He not only has to reconcile French- speaking and Flemish parties, but also has to meet many different expectations from his electorate.

Last week, it was argued in the media that his young party lacks the technical skills to broker a pragmatic deal, relying instead on general ideological principles. Moreover, N-VA is isolated in its wish to involve liberals in the coalition talks. This leaves lots to be clarified in the days to come.