Belgian king asks Socialist to form a government

A poison chalice or a golden opportunity?

His mission may be by royal appointment but, as a top Belgian politician left the palace, tasked with trying to form a government, he could be in no doubt as to the huge challenge ahead.

The leader of the country’s French-speaking Socialists, Elio Di Rupo has already tried and failed to break the deadlock since last June’s elections.

A coalition is needed but common ground in the linguistically-divided country is hard to find.

Hence a stalemate that has sparked tongue-in-cheek protests like a so-called “Chips Revolution” after Belgium’s national dish.

The impasse centres on the economic divide between wealthier Dutch-speaking Flanders, which wants more autonomy, and Wallonia, the poorer French-speaking region resistant to change.

If talks succeed, Belgium could get its first French-speaking premier in decades. Then again, an end to this crisis could once more prove to be out of reach.

Copyright © 2012 euronews