(The survey is not oriented at all
)
Heard this morning in the Eco newspaper of BFM Radio
Belgium without government for more than a year is doing very well, even better than with !!
Thus, no running costs, and civil servants attached to remain efficient without political pressure!
A NEW MODEL IS BORN.
http://www.francesoir.fr/actualite/poli ... 86760.html
Belgium without government, it works
It is an outgoing resigning government which, for 289 days, has been responsible for the day-to-day affairs of the country. A political crisis which wins the world record.
An adage says: "If you think you have understood everything about Belgian politics, it is because you have been misunderstood. Indeed, it looks as foggy as the Ostend skyline on a foggy day. Belgium, which, after shattering the European record established in 1977 by the Netherlands (208 days without a real government), equaled on Tuesday the world record for the longest political crisis that Iraq had held until then: 289 days since the federal legislative elections of June 13, 2010. It had taken 249 days for the Iraqis to agree on a division of power and forty more to form a government. However, if the Flemish parties, which demand greater autonomy, and the Walloons, who refuse it, have still not found common ground, Belgium is not without government. And the country has not stopped living. The proof: it is a Belgian player, who shared, with a Portuguese, the last prize pool of the Euro Millions. Hence these few questions intended to clarify a paradox.
Is the government crisis a Belgian specialty?
Almost. In any case, the phenomenon is not foreign to him. In 1978-1979, the formation of a new government required 106 days of negotiations. In 1987, it took 148 days for political parties to reach an agreement. In 1991, 103 days. And in 2007, seven months.
Who governs the country today?
Since the legislative elections of June 13, 2010, the government of Yves Leterme, outgoing Prime Minister, is responsible for current affairs. A rather vague notion. Indeed, if he cannot fix a major political line which would commit the country to the future in the long term, he is not paralyzed. Thus, it set in motion a draft inter-professional social agreement and had the 2011 budget voted by Parliament, which is characterized by one of the best European deficits. Last year, deputies adopted almost unanimously (136 votes out of 138) a bill to ban the wearing of the burqa in public space. On the other hand, this government "in charge of current affairs" currently involves the country in air operations over Libya.
In addition, from July to December 2010, it was the “resigned” government of Yves Leterme who assumed the presidency of the Council of the European Union. It is indeed worth recalling that the crises have so far never prevented Belgium from assuming its responsibilities in the European institutions. For example, on December 9 and 10, 1991, she participated in the European Council which finalized the Maastricht Treaty. In 2007, she signed the Lisbon Treaty which was later to be ratified by Parliament.
What is the role of the king?
Located at the top of the institutions, the king embodies the unity of the kingdom, making it a federal state since the Constitution of February 17, 1994, in which he mainly exercises honorary functions. Currently, Albert II is on the throne. Baptized Albert, Félix, Humbert, Théodore, Christian, Eugène-Marie de Belgique, the sixth king of the Belgians, 77 years old, was sworn in on August 9, 1993 in French, German and Dutch. Recently, newspapers have highlighted his generosity towards his needy subjects. In 2010, to the 10.000 letters requesting help from His Majesty, he responded with donations of 200 to 450 €. In 2009, the press found the bill corresponding to the purchase of a 27-meter-long white royal yacht indecent: 4,6 million euros.
Is the economy suffering from the aftermath of the political crisis?
Some believe that in the absence of a real government, the country can hardly impose measures that would reduce its debt. Nevertheless, the morale of the bosses does not drop. As for gross domestic product, it could increase by more than 2% this year. Proof of this vitality: Tuesday, the Chinese Geely, owner of the Swedish car manufacturer Volvo, announced that he would proceed to two hundred recruitments for his factory in Ghent, the largest in the group.
What do Belgians think of this never-ending crisis?
Many do not hide their exasperation. On January 23, there were 15.000, mostly young people, on the streets of Brussels. Marching between the north of the city and the Cinquantenaire park, near the center, they chanted: "What do we want?" We want a government. On banners of this "march of shame", as they called it, they wrote: "A government and fast!" At the origin of this movement: five students, including four Flemings, who, via the Internet, had decided to challenge the political class. The following month, February 17, the Belgians, who are not lacking in humor, marked the 249th day of crisis with a "fried revolution", symbolized by tastings throughout the kingdom. Tuesday, the collective "Separatism, not in our name", which brings together Flemish artists and intellectuals opposed to the nationalist line, renamed "place des Frites" the central place of several university cities, Brussels, Liège, Namur, Ghent and Antwerp. Another civic initiative: that of the actor Benoît Poelvoorde who called on his compatriots not to shave anymore until the political parties form a new government. More serious: according to a poll published recently by two Flemish newspapers, only 14% of Belgians in Flanders, 11% of those in Wallonia and 12% of Brussels residents still trust politicians.
