The tumultuous elections in Belgium have taken center stage in the media over the past week, as the Flemish Party's victory in the Parliamentary Elections may be the first step towards a historic spilt in the country.

The ramifications of a two-nation split carry wide implications for almost every aspect of Belgian trade and commerce, and all industry sectors are anxiously waiting to see how events unfold.

The diamond industry has taken a special interest in the political events, for obvious reasons: Antwerp serves as the world's hub for diamond trade, and is the home of four diamond bourses, including the very first one ever created – Diamantclub van Antwerpen.

The New-Flemish Alliance, which calls for a gradual separation between the French and Flemish speaking parts of the country, is a rising power in Brussels.

After winning only one seat eight years ago, they have been able to take parliament by the proverbial storm, and now have the biggest presence in the House: the election saw the Flemish Party win's 17.4% of the general votes. The next biggest party won 13.7% of the votes.

The nationalist party's victory came after four years of deadlock between the incumbent French- and Dutch-speaking coalition government.

The New-Flemish Alliance plans to dissolve Belgium in the long run, in what party leader Bart De Wever describes as a gradual evolution, rather than a revolution: “The state must be reformed, the finances need to be reorganized, that's where we as Flemish together should go for.”

Serious political upheaval may result in changes to trade laws, which may seriously affect the way Antwerp conducts business. Nothing, of course, has been decided – or even discussed – as of yet, but political analysts said the trade sector's anxiety is not completely without merit.