Belgian coalition government loses majority as N-VA partners walk out

Belgian coalition government loses majority as N-VA partners walk out
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By Robert Hackwill
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Liberals and Christian Democrats to battle on in minority with PM Charles Michel insisting his country will sign the UN Migrants Charter, the dealbreaker for the Flemish Nationalists.

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The Belgian coalition government has lost Bart De Wever's Flemish party, the N-VA. and is now a minority administration of the Liberals and Christian Democrats.

The walkout is because of Prime Minister Charles Michel's insistece on signing the UN convention on Migration in Morocco next week.

The N-VA's departure means Michel also reshuffled his ministers,

"I will take the plane tomorrow to Marrakech as government chief of a responsible orange-blue coalition. I have to assume my responsibility as Prime Minister and make sure that we will assume continuity, responsibility and stability.,“ he said.

Former Interior Minister Jan Janbon confirmed he and his government colleagues from the N-VA had submitted their letters of resignation, but he said nothing about if they would continue to vote for the government or immediately try to organise a revolt.

Michel will struggle to govern with a minority. Between 2010 and 2011 after inconclusive elections Belgium went without a government for 589, then a world record for a comporable developed country.

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