Belgium sees breakthrough as coalition talks open

EurActiv reported that Flemish conservative party CD&V, led by Wouter Beke, agreed on the 20 July 2011 on a change of policy to join government-building talks without the NV-A, a nationalist party whose long-term ambition is to separate Flanders from Belgium.

Elio Di Rupo, the francophone socialist leader appointed by the King to lead coalition talks, held a meeting on the 21 July 2011 with the leaders of eight political parties – both French and Dutch-speaking – with a hope to form the next government.

• Primary Source

De Standaard, 22.7.11: King’s speech ends deadlock (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/news-brief-cover/790681-king-s-speech-ends-deadlock

ESO: Background information: Belgian general election, 2010 http://www.europeansources.info/record/belgian-general-election-2010/

ESO: Background information: Di Rupo’s guide to saving a country http://www.europeansources.info/record/di-rupos-guide-to-saving-a-country/

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