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Belgium finally gets new PM
Source: Agencies |
December 7, 2011, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
SOCIALIST Elio Di Rupo has taken the oath as Belgium's first French-speaking prime minister in nearly 40 years.
In an ornate ceremony at the royal palace, the 60-year-old son of Italian immigrants completed a remarkable journey that took him from an impoverished childhood to the leader of Belgium, which had gone without a full government for a record 541 days.
Amid small talk and jokes, the 13 ministers and 6 state secretaries also took the oath, much to the relief of the nation of 6.5 million Dutch speakers and 4.5 million French speakers who have been frustrated with a deadlock between politicians over linguistic differences.
King Albert II said during the ceremonies that "there is a lot of work at hand."
He will lead a grand coalition of Socialists, Christian Democrats and Liberals, each split in Dutch- and French-speaking parties. Among his leading ministers, outgoing finance minister Francophone liberal Didier Reynders became foreign minister and Dutch-speaking Christian Democrat Steven Vanackere made the reverse move. Dutch-speaking socialist Johan Vande Lanotte was named economics minister.
Now the government has a lot of catching up to do, especially when it comes to the economy. Just ten days ago, the credit rating of Belgium was downgraded, when high debt caught up with extended indecision on the government makeup.
Belgium has had only a caretaker government since June 13, 2010.
In an ornate ceremony at the royal palace, the 60-year-old son of Italian immigrants completed a remarkable journey that took him from an impoverished childhood to the leader of Belgium, which had gone without a full government for a record 541 days.
Amid small talk and jokes, the 13 ministers and 6 state secretaries also took the oath, much to the relief of the nation of 6.5 million Dutch speakers and 4.5 million French speakers who have been frustrated with a deadlock between politicians over linguistic differences.
King Albert II said during the ceremonies that "there is a lot of work at hand."
He will lead a grand coalition of Socialists, Christian Democrats and Liberals, each split in Dutch- and French-speaking parties. Among his leading ministers, outgoing finance minister Francophone liberal Didier Reynders became foreign minister and Dutch-speaking Christian Democrat Steven Vanackere made the reverse move. Dutch-speaking socialist Johan Vande Lanotte was named economics minister.
Now the government has a lot of catching up to do, especially when it comes to the economy. Just ten days ago, the credit rating of Belgium was downgraded, when high debt caught up with extended indecision on the government makeup.
Belgium has had only a caretaker government since June 13, 2010.
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