NVA confirms lead in Belgium elections

NVA leader Bart de Wever called it an "extraordinary" result, adding that Francophone voters should not to be “afraid”.

"The challenge is enormous but the Flemish people have chosen change and we won't let them down," de Wever said.

He underlined that he will stand aside during talks seeking to nominate a new Belgian prime minister to replace current caretaker Yves Leterme, whose Christian Democrats trailed on just 18.4 per cent.

"The job of prime minister for me is not important, the key is to get a deal. If it helps the Francophones to trust us, I'm happy to make that sacrifice," he said.

The favourite to be named prime minister is French-speaking Socialist leader Elio di Rupo, who said his party had won a "fantastic success" in parallel but distinct elections in French-speaking Wallonia and the bilingual Brussels.

The Socialists scored 33.8 per cent of the vote across the other two federal regions, based on just over three-quarters of official returns.

Di Rupo said his party had a "considerable responsibility at a historic moment" for Belgium, observing that the wealthier Flemish majority had "manifestly" voted in large numbers for "institutional change".

He said he would push for "a reform of the state that would guarantee greater prosperity for Walloons, the people of Brussels and Flanders".

However, parties from poorer French-speaking regions are seeing a possible devolution as a step towards Belgium’s break-up.

The southern Wallonia region is comprised of predominately French speakers whilst Flemish is dominant the Northern Flanders region. It is a country with strict language rules on all official documents.

Belgium is also readying itself to take on the six-month presidency in the European Union in July although a lengthy negotiation process is raising concerns if it will prepared to assume responsibility.

The current incumbent, Christian Democrat Yves Leterme, is expected to act as a caretaker government until the talks are concluded.