http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/247680
Posted Dec 19, 2007 by Bart B. Van Bockstaele

After more than 6 months, Belgium has a new government (sort of)


Belgium map
image:30540:0::0

The government is temporary, meaning that its main function will be to create a new budget, including the usual tax raise no doubt, and preparing new elections.

To make it all a lot more fun, the government will consist of five parties, two Flemish (Dutch speaking) ones and three Francophone ones.

The two Flemish ones: CD&V, a centre party with very close connections to the Catholics, the main official subsidised religion. Open VLD, a centre right party.

The three Francophone ones: PS, a socialist party. MR, a combination of centre right and extremist Francophone parties. CDH, a centre party with very close connections to the Catholics, the main official subsidised religion.

There will be 14 ministers in the government, 7 for the Flemings and 7 for the Francophones. This may seem strange. Although the Francophones are a minority in the country, they always get 50% of the ministers (parity).

Four ministers come from CD&V. Open VLD, MR and PS each get three. CDH has to be happy with one.

In all, this seems a typical Belgian government: incoherent, mixed, not hindered by any noteworthy abilities. That is, if it gets formed at all, since there is no such thing as certainty in Belgium.