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Belgian PM resignation: Readers react
Summary from multiple countries, from articles in English
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Belgium has been plunged into a fresh political crisis, following the resignation of the country's Prime Minister Yves Leterme on Monday. (article 4)
This is the only way in which Belgium can survive, because if the Walloons keep on rejecting such devolution of powers the only remaining option is to split into two - which even the Flemish don't really want. (article 4)
Founded in 1830, Belgium now has a population of about 10.5 million people and considers itself the capital of the European Union, but is divided between French-speakers in the south and Dutch-speakers in the north. (article 1)
The bilingual 47-year-old took many by surprise in offering his resignation to King Albert II during a four-hour meeting late Monday, preempting a parliamentary debate yesterday. (article 1)
He took office in March - after nine months of political deadlock - as the head of a coalition of Dutch and French-speaking parties. (article 2)
The government coalition includes Mr Leterme's Flemish Christian Democrats from the north as well as Socialists from the French-speaking region of Wallonia in the south. (article 2)
Before last June's general election, Mr Leterme had promised his supporters even more devolved powers for regional governments in a country that is already Europe's most decentralised state. (article 2)
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Other summaries about this story:
Event tracking:
Story keywords
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Leterme, Belgium, Flemish, resignation, country |
Source articles
- Belgian prime minister offers to quit (boston.com, 07/16/2008, 698 words)
- Belgian PM offers his resignation (BBC News, 07/15/2008, 202 words)
- Bid to rescue Belgian government (BBC News, 07/16/2008, 365 words)
- Belgian PM resignation: Readers react (BBC News, 07/16/2008, 1232 words)
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blaster@cs.columbia.edu
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