Belgium goes a year without government

It has been a year today since Yves Leterme, Belgium’s caretaker prime minister abandoned his attempt to form a government but the country does not appear any closer to end its crisis.

While the rival Dutch and French speaking political parties have not been able to see eye-to-eye the rest of the country been quietly getting on with its business; a fact not missed by today’s Le Soir newspaper which questions whether Belgium actually needs a central government.

Belgium’s political paralysis has now set a new world record and things could get worse with early elections scheduled in June. The Flemish nationalist leader Bart De Wever has signalled he is ready for a fresh round of talks with the Francophone socialist leader Elie Di Rupo.

It is understood that meeting could take place immediately after the easter holidays.

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