Belgian officials play down crisis, as caretaker PM opts to go

Author (Person)
Series Title
Series Details 14.9.11
Publication Date 14/09/2011
Content Type

Caretaker Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme announced he would be taking up a new job as deputy Secretary General of the OECD on the 13 September 2011. Talks to create a new coalition after a record-breaking 458 days with no government broke down again the same day, creating an atmosphere of crisis.

However, on the 14 September 2011, Elio Di Rupo, the mediator trying to form a government in Belgium was able to announce a breakthrough after tense negotiations that day between eight political parties. He said the parties had agreed on solutions to sticking points including a dispute over Bruxelles-Hal-Vilvorde (BHV), a district covering the capital and the suburbs.

Source Link http://euobserver.com/843/113617
Related Links
De Standaard, 15.9.11: Decisive progress towards a government (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu//en/content/news-brief-cover/952391-decisive-progress-towards-government
ESO: Background information: Hopes rise for Belgium power-sharing deal http://www.europeansources.info/record/hopes-rise-for-belgium-power-sharing-deal/
Deutsche Welle, 14.9.11: Belgium's prime minister quits, causing more political chaos http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15387455,00.html
BBC News, 15.9.11: Belgian crisis: Mediator announces breakthrough http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14925942
EurActiv, 15.9.11: Brussels deal paves way for new Belgian government http://www.euractiv.com/elections/brussels-deal-paves-way-new-belgian-government-news-507657

Countries / Regions