Moonmaiden23
Imperial Majesty
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2007
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- United States
These are all very funny, but sad as well. King Baudouin must be spinning in his grave.
King Albert starts mediation effort
Mon 12/11/07 - Belgium's King Albert intends to take an active role mediating in the impasse surrounding the government formation talks.
Over 150 days after the election Belgium still has no new Federal Government.
On Sunday King Albert spoke with the Presidents of the Chamber of Representatives and the Senate, Herman Van Rompuy (Flemish Christian democrat) and Armand De Decker (Francophone liberal).
In the mean time, their Northern neighbours might give the Flemish a warm welcome , Read the article here.
To johann: .. doesn´t Germany want a piece of the cake too?
Separatist motion rejected
Thu 22/11/07 - A motion calling for the partition of Belgium that was tabled by the far-right party Vlaams Belang has been voted down by the Chamber of Representatives. Thursday afternoon's vote means that the motion will not be discussed by MPs and consequently that no further vote will take place on its separatist contents.
This is being seen by Francophones as an important peace gesture. Most Flemish MPs voted against parliament considering the motion.
Vlaams Belang voted in favour and the Flemish nationalists and three Flemish Christian democrats abstained.
No, still a long way to go, my grandma is hoping for a new government as a Christmas present.So this isnt over is it
Is a government formation nigh?
27 November 2007
BRUSSELS - Belgium's would-be premier, Yves Leterme, struggled Monday to persuade his own Flemish Christian Democrats to agree to join a centre-right government that would postpone a decision on granting more autonomy to their prosperous northern region.
For the seventh time, Leterme visited the royal palace Monday - 169 days after the elections - to update King Albert on his effort to form a government. He made no comment following the meeting. The self-rule dispute has foiled efforts by Christian Democrat and Liberal parties from Belgium's Dutch- and French-speaking communities to form a government since they won a majority in elections on 10 June.
Leterme gives it another go
28 November 2007
BRUSSELS - Representatives of the Flemish and Francophone Christian democrat and liberal parties will today meet to discuss the state reform programme of the government they are hoping to form.
Last night tensions rose between the Flemish Christian democrats of Prime Minister-in-waiting Yves Leterme and his Flemish nationalist alliance partner
"Waking up in a country called Flanders?"
Wed 28/11/07 - BBC's Mark Mardell predicts Belgium will find a solution to its present crisis, but does not rule out a new country on the map of Europe within a few decades.
Watch the report by clicking top right!
The BBC today broadcast a special report devoted to Belgium's protracted political crisis.
The report forms one of many aired on BBC TV’s News 24 today in an attempt to explain what is happening in Belgium to a domestic audience in the UK.
The BBC's Europe editor explained that it was above all Francophone Walloons that were backing Belgian unity and wanted to stop the Flemings gaining more power for their well-off region.
Mr Leterme throws in the towel
Sat 01/12/07 - Yves Leterme, the Flemish Christian democrat who has been attempting to form a new federal Government, has asked King Albert to relieve him of his task.
Mr Leterme met with King Albert at the Palace on Saturday afternoon.
The king agreed to Mr Leterme's request.
After one of the four delegations taking part in the formation talks failed to meet an ultimatum that Mr Leterme set, the Flemish Christian democrat's second attempt to form a new Government has now failed.
Belgium gets cabinet of urgent affairs
Premier Guy Verhofstadt is getting extended powers and will constitute a de facto emergency cabinet.
3 December 2007
With no new Federal Government in sight six months after the general election the outgoing administration of Premier Guy Verhofstadt is getting extended powers and will constitute a de facto emergency cabinet.
Emergency government is an option
Parties accept the idea of forming an emergency government to be able to deal with the most urgent issues at hand
10 December 2007 - The Flemish Christian democrat (CD&V) and liberal (Open VLD) parties accept the idea of forming an emergency government to be able to deal with the most urgent issues at hand. This possibility was discussed during the VRT current affairs TV show 'De zevende dag'.
That's telling them.Another anecdote, when the chairman of a political party asked about the KJings health (which is against etiquette) the King replied 'Och, we are old and don't feel too well. I would realy like to be able to go on holidays, but sadly that isn't possible anymore'
That's telling them.