Belgian Big Bang???

[Videoskooter]

Indeed, we are in the biggest crisis ever. At this stage we can not form a federal government anymore. Flemish and Walloons have a completely different agenda and we need a sort of miracle to get the two ethnical groups on the same (Belgian) road again.

What now? Nobody knows! Every formula for creating a government has its boobytraps. New elections (with probably the same outcome)? Towards a confederation like Switzerland is a possibility. Or maybe, the implosion of Belgium will be happening very soon, in a few weeks or the second half of 2008).

I repeat, nobody knows how to handle the situation at the moment.

One nation under a groove?

The man (our man), Christian-Democrat Yves Leterme, who has tried to form a government over the last 180 days but failed today:

[Nano]

And now the Belgian bigbang virus is contagious! See Bolivia:

Four Bolivian regions declare autonomy from government - CNN.com

Some people here expressed doubts about Fox News' credibility, so I chose a respectable source: CNN

[Videoskooter]

Peeps, look what we got as Christmas present: a real federal government! Thank you Santa!

(This inbetween-government under former prime minister Guy Verhofstadt will stay on til' Eastern and then the real government with a new prime minister, mr. Yves Leterme, will be installed (if everything works out as planned of course!)

[Videoskooter]

Hi Tension Time again 2day (8th of May 2008)!

After 50 days of governing the battle is in full force again! At noon the Flemish will use their majority to vote against the Walloons on a very sensitive topic: the split of an electoral area around Brussels (sorry, even I can not explain that to non-Belgians).

3 possibilities:

- the vote will be avoided at the last minute
- the vote is on and that could mean the end of the current government and the start of a very deep institutional crisis.
- the government stays in power but with the next deadline on July 15th when the Flemish absolutely want their state reform.

U can't follow this anymore? Neither do we, ze Belgians

[Videoskooter]

OMG, we're getting press coverage in the US of A

Belgium News - Breaking World Belgium News - The New York Times

Belgium teeters on a linguistic edge - International Herald Tribune

[Videoskooter]

I know that the whole board is following the Belgian events very closely with da fingers crossed but I don't have very good news:

Belgium's pitiful politics | Economist.com

Belgium’s government | Leterme’s limits | Economist.com

Maybe this site will help, where they ask the Belgian women to show their boobs and save the country (yes, seriously!)

BOOBS FOR BELGIUM

If not, we'll have to start rehearsing this:

[Bernie]

So, it's always the French causing the trouble

From reading the article it seems as if Belgium's King will probably ask Leterme to stay on and work things out, which seems like a wise thing to do.

I just don't understand how the dual (triple-if you add German) language and identity thing stood so long and can work. It's doomed to failure I feel. Albeit more serious, Belgium's scenario is almost like Canada's French/English language snafu I guess, but I'm sure Graham can chime in on that.

Let's hope your countrymen can compromise and work it all out.

[Videoskooter]

King Albert has installed a council consisting of 3 elderly statesmen who have to find out if there's still a chance for a compromise. They have to report by 31st of July. Meanwhile Leterme stays on with limited powers.

The aim is to come to a confederation of 2 states, Flanders and Wallonia with two districts, Brussels and the East-Cantons (German-speaking).

If that is possible Belgium still exists and will be politically organised like Germany and Switzerland. A federal government with limited power (Defense,...?) and the the regional governments with full power.

If that is not possible the Walloons will unite with Brussels and will form Wallobrux. The name sucks and the idea also bums!?

But, to be honest, things are getting worse every day now and nobody knows a decent solution. There could be new elections but they would be illegal as there's not a legal solution for the mixed district of B(russels)-H(alle)-V(ilvoorde). That district is on Flemish territory but has a lot of French-speaking habitants.

New elections could also spark a major boost for the Flemish nationalist parties Vlaams Belang (Flemish interest, right extremist), NVA (New Flemish Alliance, rightwing) and Lijst Dedecker (List Dedecker, ultra-liberal which in our country means very rightwing).

The Walloons are now accusing the Flemish of being fascists with no respect for the minority of French-speaking population and they are campaigning that way worldwide. The truth however is that since the birth of Belgium in 1830 the majority of the population is Flemish and was bashed all those years by the French speaking part who think that their language and culture is superior.

BTW, Belgium has almost 11 million inhabitants and we have 60(!) Ministers (secretary of state).

So it's the choice between:



or



And let me out myself: Ik kies voor, Je vote pour, Ich wähle für, I vote for >

[Bernie]

Johan,

I enjoyed that last video. Belgium looks beautiful... old and new architecture, history, tourism... Seriously, it looks like a great place to be. My lady and I need to fly over there before it's too late. Save a spot in the bumper cars for us.