Belgian elections a test of Flemish separatists

(AP) BRUSSELS - Belgians are going to the polls in municipal elections seen as a test of separatist sentiment in the northern Dutch-speaking Flanders region.

In particular, observers are watching the wealthy northern port of Antwerp, where Bart De Wever of the NV-A separatist party is seeking to become mayor and use the city as a base for a bigger challenge during national elections in 2014.

De Wever has been at odd with economically ailing French-speaking Wallonia.

Polls predict a surge for the NV-A, but De Wever said Sunday that `’you never know for certain. When the polls close then you become nervous, then you are in the eye of the storm."

The first results are expected around 8 p.m. (1800GMT; 2 p.m. EDT).