The times that Belgium could boast of its successes in soccer (the 1980s), or its number one cyclist Eddy Merckx (the 1970s), lie behind us. Fortunately, the little country is about to set another world record, one previously held by Iraq: Friday will mark its 250th day without a new national government.

Remarkably, this doesn't seem to worry Belgians too much. In the land of the surreal, protest calls primarily appeal to the smile on your face, with light-hearted "protest actions" such as men letting their beards grow until a government is in place, or women following Lysistrata's example and refusing sex until an agreement is made. Top of the bill is the initiative by some citizens of Ghent (renowned for their anti-establishment rebelliousness) to organise a public party in the streets of their city on Thursday night, counting down to the new world record. In an ironic trailer, people are asked to gather and "help our political heroes through the last hours".

Although this long-lasting political deadlock is nothing to be proud of, few people are upset about the situation. This is partly due to the fact that regional governments are still working. Areas including education, culture, sport, welfare and parts of the economic and employment policy have been transferred to the Flemish and French-speaking communities, saving Belgium from not being governed at all. In addition, a nonexistent national government is unable to spend any money, which has proved an economical policy.

Yet underneath the feeling is growing that if the country is bound to be split up, so be it. There have been disagreements on virtually every single topic between the socialist south, oriented to "Latin" Europe, and the north with its more Anglo-Saxon approach. This had led to a widespread feeling that Belgium consists of two democracies, with their own dynamics and policies. If these separate worlds are joined in order to form a national government, a problem emerges. Despite the attempts on both sides to make some conciliatory gestures, a common ground is still nowhere in sight.

The five previous constitutional changes, from the early 1970s to the 1990s, revolved around which powers could be moved from the national level to the regions. Flemings would like to turn Belgium into a confederation, turning this approach around. That would take the regions as the departure point, decentralising all responsibilities before starting negotiations on what may still be organised on a common, federal basis, such as defence. For the first time, this possibility is now also raised by a few politicians in Wallonia. And it may open up a new way of thinking about the country.

The question is whether all political parties in Wallonia are willing to embark on this plan. Discussions have become sharp at times, with French socialist minister Laurette Onkelinx giving her Flemish colleague the finger. If not, Belgium may be without a government for some time longer. Or head towards new elections – though it is unclear what they could possibly resolve.