Waffle maker policy ( nederl. Wafelijzerpolitiek ) is the unofficial but commonly used name of the system of distribution of funds for the implementation of large projects that existed in Belgium . Its meaning was that between financing large works in Flanders and Wallonia , parity was to be maintained. For example, if a large project was carried out in Wallonia, the corresponding amount should also have been spent on the project in Flanders. Hence the name - both halves of the waffle iron are the same size.
Because of this policy, often one party often received more finance than required. Therefore, many see in the policy of the waffle iron the cause of the large external debt of Belgium (105% of GDP )
During the third stage of the reform of the state (federalization of Belgium), in 1988, the districts themselves, and not the federal government, became responsible for financing large projects. In this regard, the policy of the waffle iron has become mostly a matter of the past. Investments in railways (which remain a state enterprise) are distributed at a ratio of six to four (six for Flanders, four for Wallonia, in accordance with the length of the railway network).
The policy of the waffle iron has led to the creation of many Great useless works , which are so rich in Belgium. An example is a ship elevator on the Central Canal in Wallonia, which was built not because of necessity (navigation in that area is not particularly intensive), but for the simple reason that in Flanders, work was carried out to expand the port of Zeebrugge .