A former prime minister charged with resolving Belgium's political crisis said yesterday his task was difficult but not hopeless, with the need for a swift solution important as the country slides into recession.
Former Belgian prime minister Wilfried Martens faces a tough job trying to sort out the impasse, with little sign that five coalition parties could agree who should replace the country's ex-prime minister.
Belgium's third political breakdown in a year was prompted by a Supreme Court report on political meddling in a legal case over the rescue of stricken bank Fortis, and made more intractable by differences between the country's Dutch and French-speaking communities.
Flemish broadcaster VRT said Mr Martens hoped for a breakthrough before the end of the year, but political analysts doubt the likelihood of a quick resolution to the crisis in Belgium, which is expected to slide into recession this quarter.
After three days of talks with senior politicians, Belgium's King Albert asked Mr Martens late on Monday to start talks. The former premier brings to the task a wealth of experience in political turbulence, having confronted the sharp economic downturn of the early 1980s.
Earlier on Monday, the king accepted the resignation of prime minister Yves Leterme's government, although he asked it to remain in a caretaker role. "It is a difficult task but not a hopeless one," Mr Martens said yesterday.
The caretaker government is expected to resolve the most pressing issues, but political wrangling over who takes the top job could further contribute to Belgium's economic woes.
Christian Democrat Jean-Luc Dehaene, who served twice as prime minister, has emerged as the most likely candidate to replace Mr Leterme. He has gained a reputation as "the plumber" because of his skill in finding intricate solutions to ending political deadlock.
Lower house president Herman Van Rompuy's name has also been mentioned repeatedly as a possible premier but, according to Belgian media, Van Rompuy would refuse an offer to take the top job.
Mr Martens, who led nine Belgian governments between 1979 and 1992, met Mr Van Rompuy and senate president Armand de Decker yesterday morning to seek a way out of Belgium's third political breakdown in a year.
Dutch-speaking parties want more powers for Flanders, while French speakers fear it would pull Belgium apart. - (Reuter)