Government crisis in Belgium following dispute on the Global Compact for Migration

Summary:

The Belgian government was left with a minority administration after the largest party, the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), quit the coalition over a dispute on signing the United Nations Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. 

Further information:

The N-VA, a hardliner on migration, demanded that the Prime Minister refrained from signing the UN migration compact in Marrakesh. Following a majority vote in parliament, in favour of signing the compact, the Prime Minister said he would personally attend the conference to support the compact and make sure Belgium would keep its international credibility.

The Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel relaunched his government on 9 December 2018, made up of the three-party coalition of the liberal Reformist Movement (MR), the centre right Christen Democratic and Flemish (CD & V), and the Open Flemish Liberal and Democrats (Open VLD).

Commentary and Analysis

EurActiv, 05.12.18: Global Migration Pact puts Belgian ruling coalition in jeopardy https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/global-migration-pact-puts-belgian-ruling-coalition-in-jeopardy/

Politico, 12.12.18: The man who broke Belgium’s government https://www.politico.eu/article/theo-franckenthe-man-who-broke-belgium-government/

Politico, 10.12.18: Belgium’s identity crisis isn’t about migration https://www.politico.eu/article/belgium-government-charles-michel-identity-crisis-isnt-about-migration/

Euro|topics, December 2018: Belgium's future after collapse of coalition https://www.eurotopics.net/en/211388/belgium-s-future-after-collapse-of-coalition?zitat=211428#zitat211428

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News

EurActiv, 10.12.18: Belgian PM relaunches government as minority after ally quits https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/belgian-pm-relaunches-government-as-minority-after-ally-quits/

EurActiv, 07.12.18: Belgian PM to go to Marrakesh migration forum ‘in personal capacity https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/belgian-pm-to-go-to-marrakesh-migration-forum-in-personal-capacity/

Politico, 04.12.18: Belgium’s N-VA: We won’t quit government or back UN pact https://www.politico.eu/article/belgium-charles-michel-to-head-to-parliament-amid-political-crisis-government-un-migration/

Politico, 09.12.18: Belgium sets up minority government after migration dispute breaks coalition https://www.politico.eu/article/belgium-sets-up-minority-government-after-migration-dispute-breaks-coalition/

EUObserver, 10.12.18: Belgium left with minority government after UN migration pact row https://euobserver.com/tickers/143649

Euronews, 09.12.18: Belgian prime minister forms minority government after biggest party in coalition quit https://www.euronews.com/2018/12/09/belgian-prime-minister-forms-minority-government-after-biggest-party-in-coalition-quits

France24, 05.12.18: Belgian PM wins backing for UN migration pact https://www.france24.com/en/20181205-belgian-pm-wins-backing-un-migration-pact

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