King Albert II Forming a New Goverment, 2007-2011

[Thomas Parkman]

Well, dear members, this is just one of those situations where the King can do nothing right. Here Belgium is a very successful country-at least seems to be to this outsider-and what are they doing, hell bent on committing suicide. Political hara-kiri. Has happened so many many times. The American Civil War is a classic example. Passion, egotism and stupidity trump common sense. And the unfortunate Albert II is caught in the middle of all of this.l

 

[Marengo]

To show the heated state of the debate:

Flemish MPs reject independence call

11 September 2007
BRUSSELS (AFP) - The Flemish parliament on Monday rejected a far-right call to work towards independence from the rest of Belgium, amid a political crisis pitting the Dutch-speaking Flemish north and francophone south.

Read the entire expatica article here.

 

[Henri M.]

Proposal for 'Ethanasia on Belgium' in the Flemish Parliament

Monday September 10th the leader of Vlaams Belang, Filip Dewinter, asked his colleagues in the Flemish Parliament "No more begging, no more entreating, but act! Make an own charter for the Flemish autonomy and ask the Flemish people about it in a referendum. You have the historic duty to make a nation of our own people and grant them their own Flemish state!"

"Because it suited Britain and France to have a new, neutral state instead of the economical powerful and rivalling Netherlands, they supported a break-up of the United Netherlands. Since then rancour is ever-present and Belgium has become a freak of nature, a state in which power is so devolved that government is an abhorred vacuum. In short, Belgium has served its purpose. An euthanasia on the country is in order."

"Belgians need not feel too sad. Countries come and go. And perhaps a way can be found to keep the king, if he is still wanted anyway. Since he has never had a country—he has always just been King of the Belgians—he will not miss Belgium."

The other parties, except for the small nationalistic and separatistic fractions, did not support the idea of a referendum on Flemish independence but could not filibuster the debate (the Vlaams Belang is too big).

 

[Marengo]

And perhaps a way can be found to keep the king, if he is still wanted anyway

that is a rather new statement from Flemish Interest (VB), they usually pick on the King and the RF! I wonder what the way out is though, for Belgium. Personally I think the only way of survival in the long run is more centralism, but that isn;t very likely to happen. If Machiavelli would have liuved today he would most certainly use this Belgian example to show bad statecraft .

 

[RubyPrincess168]

WOW! I had no idea any of this was going on! I guess I have to start getting my royal news here at TRF. I admit I don't know anything about the European political systems/processes. It shouldn't be that difficult. Has anything been said about whether King Albert II has consulted his heir (can't think of who that is at the moment) or any other members of his family? Sometimes a differnt/younger perspective helps. Or he can just toss the whole government out and take over absolute rule until they get their act togethor!

 

[Marengo]

Well, I don´t recall if anything is said on the involvement of the crownprince, but this is certainly a job for the King himself, the crownprince is not one of his advisors.

Albert II and absolute rule, somehow I don´t picture those two together. I think Albert would prefer to get a pint somewhere and let the politicians solve it all, if he could .

Here an article from the economist about the Belgian situation:

Time to call it a day

Sep 6th 2007
From The Economist print edition
Sometimes it is right for a country to recognise that its job is done

A RECENT glance at the Low Countries revealed that, nearly three months after its latest general election, Belgium was still without a new government. It may have acquired one by now. But, if so, will anyone notice? And, if not, will anyone mind? Even the Belgians appear indifferent. And what they think of the government they may well think of the country. If Belgium did not already exist, would anyone nowadays take the trouble to invent it?

Read the entire article here.

This weeks issue is talking about the ´Praline Divorce´, but the article isn´t online yet.

 

[RubyPrincess168]

But it could become the Crown Prince's problem, or he could encounter a similar problem during his reign. It wouldn't hurt to have a little experience in the area.

If Albert isn't keen on ruling his country, and the governmental parties aren't keen on cooperating to rule the country, maybe that article is right. Maybe Belgium should "divorce" and go their seperate ways.

 

[Marengo]

I meant that he isn't keen on absolute rule, as you suggested. I assume that the present situation does put some big pressure on him, but he will not walk away from his duty for sure.

I think this time the parties will all make amends but the problem is that these crisises are getting worse each election, so maybe in one or two decades..?

 

[johann]

The problem is: Belgium is in URGENT need of a state reform and this not just since yesterday. Once there is an efficient federalism (and back to centralism can´t be the answer) and a stable government, things will calm down, as there is no majority for a split (up to now). But one needs to arrive there and at the moment the willingness to compromise is very little amongst the different parties. Actually its day 99 post election, the coalition talks have not been reassumed and there seems to be zero progress.

And about CP Philippe: IMO it´s not unlikely that he follows this difficult “making of a government” behind the scenes, as attentive observer but not as active player - and this is the way it´s supposed to be.

 

[Marengo]

The mediator went to Ciergnon a few days ago to bring a report to the king:

Mediator Royal reports to King

Mon 17/09/07 - It was in the unexpected location of Ciergnon Castle in the Ardennes region of Namur Province (Wallonia) that the Mediator Royal, Herman Van Rompuy (Flemish Christian democrat), presented his latest interim report to King Albert.

Mr Van Rompuy has been asked to facilitate efforts to form a new liberal/Christian democrat government.

Read the entire article here, on flandersnews.

And those who have lost track, also from Flandersnews an overview of the last 100 days of the formation (nothing exceptional, the longest one in Dutch history for example took 208 days):

Belgium's political crisis lasts 100 days

Tue 18/09/07 - One hundred days after the general election Belgium still has no new Federal Government. Moreover, there is little prospect that the political crisis will be resolved soon.

Ever since the 10 June poll King Albert has been leading efforts to put a new government in place.

He has appointed a string of prominent politicians with the experience needed to unblock the deadlock, but all in vain.

Read the entire article here.

 

[Royal Fan]

At this Stage to keep the Nation Together is Abdication Advisable? Hope it doesnt come to that but a new King is better than no Monarchy

 

[Marengo]

Well, I certainly think an abdication in the middle of a formation is not recomendable. The best thing for the monarchy right now is certainly a longer reign for Albert II, at least untill Phillipe's image problem has been sorted out and the political climate is more stable.
I don't know how the King feels about abdication in general terms though, maybe he has the same feeling as the majority of his collegues and will reign untill the end.

And just to show that the King isn't the only one who keeps the nation together:

"Keep Belgium together"

Sat 22/09/07 - In Brussels, a number of war veterans and patriotic associations have commemorated the struggle for independence which led to the creation of Belgium in 1830. The number of participants in the event (several hundred) was clearly up on last year.



It's in fact an annual event, but the present political situation, with the future of a unified Belgium being uncertain, made that it was highlighted by the press this time.

Read the entire article from flandersnews.be here.

 

[Marengo]

More trouble for the King, Rompey´s mission seems to have failed and he will report to the king tomorrow. After that the King is expected to install another informateur, probably a french speaking one this time:

Van Rompuy's mission close to failure

24 September 2007
BRUSSELS – Herman Van Rompuy's task to restart the formation talks is on the verge of failure. Unless the francophones come with a breakthrough this morning, he will have nothing but bad news for the king this afternoon.
For three weeks Van Rompuy has tried to force a breakthrough, or at the very least create an opening, to restart the formation negotiations between the Flemish and francophone liberal and Christian democrat parties.

Read the entire expatica article here.

And Flandersnews:

Task completion of Royal Negotiator is nigh

Mon 24/09/07 - According to a communiqué released by the Palace, the Royal Negotiator, Herman Van Rompuy, should be finished with his task 'within a couple of days'. King Albert had appointed the Flemish Christian democrat to take soundings with a view to finding a way out of the current political stalemate.

Read the entire article here.

 

[johann]

Finally some good news for the King today.

Van Rompuy gets talks back on track
Sat 29/09/07 - The Mediator Royal Herman Van Rompuy (Flemish Christian democrat) has suceeded in his mission of bringing the leaders of the Flemish and Francophone liberals and Christian democrats back to the negotiating table. A statement issued by the Royal Palace on Saturday afternoon says that a new Formateur will be appointed soon to lead talks on the formation of a new Federal Government.

Read the entire Flandersnews article here

 

[Marengo]

Good news, though it will probably take some time to glue everything together at least there seems to be some progress! I think the time should be ripe for it by now too, all the parties showed that they are defending the regional interests but now it is time to defend the national interest. More and more people seem to be speaking out in favour of a united Belgium, among them some economic organisations etc.

 

[Marengo]

And even more progress, from flandersnews:

King gives formateur task back to Leterme

Sun 30/09/07 - The King has asked Flemish Christian democrat Yves Leterme to take on the task of Formateur again. Saturday King Albert accepted a request by Herman Van Rompuy (also a Flemish Christian democrat) to be relieved of his duties as Royal Mediator.

Pat on the back for Herman Van Rompuy.

Royal Mediator Herman Van Rompuy (photo) has succeeded in bringing the Flemish and Francophone liberals and Christian democrats back to the negotiating table. The next step is to resume talks to form a governing coalition.

Read the entire article here.

 

[Marengo]

An update:

Leterme reports to king today

5 October 2007
BRUSSELS – Formateur Yves Leterme met with the four delegation leaders of the Christian democrat and liberal parties on Thursday afternoon. He will report to the king on his task for the first time today at 3 pm. An hour later he will meet with the various delegations again to discuss immigration policy.

Read the entire expatica article here.

 

[Aurora810]

Thanks for the info Marengo. Despite me being an American, I really love reading about things like this. I hope things are worked out very soon!

 

[Marengo]

You´re welcome Aurora, I am glad that some here are interested in it.

---

Good news for the King (who is in Ireland):

Relief at first coalition agreement

9 October 2007
BRUSSELS - Four months after a general election took Belgium to the brink of constitutional crisis, parties in coalition talks reached their first agreement Tuesday on the issue of immigration.
"What a relief! After 110 days, they took more than a week to reach agreement on one point," the president of the French-speaking Partie Socialiste, Elio di Rupo, said ironically

Read the entire expatica article here.

 

[Royal Fan]

The Crisis Has Passed!

 

[Marengo]

Well, they have come to an agreement about immigration policies only, they still have to discuss the other points. But at least they are talking again.

 

[flcty]

You´re welcome Aurora, I am glad that some here are interested in it.

Your effort is very much appreciated Marengo .

 

[Moonmaiden23]

I have only recently begun following and gathering info on the Belgian Royal Family. I became enchanted with the love story and lives of his late Majesty Baudouin I, and of course the very much alive Queen Fabiola.

I am concerned about the effect of this long standing and intense political crisis on the health of King Albert. I read that he recently underwent open-heart surgery(apparently heart disease is a hereditary issue re: Baudouin's fatal heart attack?)

Is there any current news in Belgium or the rest of the Continent on the state of the King's health?

 

[Helena]

Nothing new, the last thing the court released was the statement that Albert had to cancel most of his public engagements as his recovery didn´t go to fast.

 

[Moonmaiden23]

Nothing new, the last thing the court released was the statement that Albert had to cancel most of his public engagements as his recovery didn´t go to fast.

Thank you, Helen. I hope the King will get well soon!

 

[Marengo]

Just watching the Dutch news, apparently MANY Belgian flags were sold the last weeks, the factory´s can´t deal with the demand. Apparently many people put out the flag as a form of protest against Belgiums crisis.

 

[Marengo]

And here an update from expatica:

Still many issues on the agenda

1 November 2007
BRUSSELS - The Christian democrat and liberal negotiators finished talks on the social economic sections of the draft coalition accord at about 2 am this morning. They managed to wrestle their way through all eight chapters of the draft document. The most difficult dossiers – state reform, the Brussels- Halle-Vilvoorde electoral region and the budget – still have to be addressed.

Read the entire article here.

 

[The Watcher]

Constitutional crisis in Belgium. Bad news for the King.

Belgium in crisis after Flemish force vote | International | Reuters

Belgian crisis deepens after collapse of coalition talks - International Herald Tribune

 

[Marengo]

Bad news for the King indeed:

Talks postponed until Tuesday

Thu 08/11/07 - The Government formation talks between the Flemish and Francophone liberals and Christian democrats are not expected to resume before Tuesday.



Prime Minister designate Yves Leterme (Christian democrat) has said that he does not intend to abandon efforts to form a new government after Wednesday's controversial vote to split the Brussels Halle Vilvoorde constituency.

Read the entire flandersnews article here.

And the King is facing critisism too, he seems adement on keeping the political parties together and to move ahead dispite the crisis, this caused critisism from Vlaams Belang, NV-A and many newspapers. Headlines are sreaming ´Coupe de theatre´, Stop dit theater´. They critisize the King for neglecting the voters.

Still, when this Halle-Vilvoorde-Brussels dossier is solved, it will take many problems for the future. And IMHO it is time the Walloons add some water to the wine, they have been saying ´non´ to just about everything way to long now.

 

[Marengo]

And here a cartoon:

´Baudouin would have solved the crisis already; with three Hail Mary´s´

And another one from newspaper ´De Standaard´, Queen Fabiola is waytiching television and calling ´Albeeeeeert, there is a new government´, Albert asks ´really´ and than Fabiola ´got ya´

From the same newspaper this one: ´Sire, the Queen of The Netherlands´, Albert starts to sweat... ´Trix?´ (as he probably has some explaning to do about the mess )

Here a cartoon of Albert, doing groceries. The articles are called ´Brussels´, ´language border´, ´social welfare´ etc.

Another one: Still no government, Sire´, ´Sigh, so I will have to do it by myself again´

And another cartoon by Zaza, King Albert I leaving Leterme behind while he is leaving the theatre, here.