6 Months After Losing, He Still Runs Belgium

After stalemate, 'outgoing' PM may head emergency government
By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 4, 2007 10:50 AM CST
6 Months After Losing, He Still Runs Belgium
Supporters for Belgian unity parade with the Belgian tricolor in Brussels Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007.   (Associated Press)

Six months after he was defeated in inconclusive elections in June, Guy Verhofstadt is still Belgium's "outgoing" prime minister—and might end up leading a new government. Verhofstadt has met with the king twice and now will try to head a provisional coalition of French and Flemish parties, the Guardian reports. It's a stunning reversal for a man written off as finished.

Parties from Belgium's two regions have been unable to compromise on a new government, and on Saturday the putative PM-elect, Yves Leterme, walked out of negotiations. Verhofstadt described his mission as "very temporary," and it's unclear what form his leadership might take: He could simply continue as provisional leader or head a full-fledged new government. (More Guy Verhofstadt stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X