Belgians claim world record as they mark 249 days without a government

[hazek]

Belgium marks 'political record'

Belgians have been marking a near world record of 249 days without a government, due to political deadlock following June elections last year that failed to produce a clear winner.

Despite the ongoing political crisis, residents are using Thursday to hold a "chips revolution", honouring a favourite national dish, with various events going on around the country.

"Of course it is serious that we have no federal government," Kris Peeters, the Flemish minister-president of Flanders, said.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2011/02/201121713555577175.html


Those idiots! They should be happy they don't have a government and just abandon this stupid idea entirely.

 

[Austrian Econ Disciple]

They still have Government so how can they say they don't? Also, why does Somalia not have the world record?

 

[torchbearer]

They still have Government so how can they say they don't? Also, why does Somalia not have the world record?

i think belgians government doesn't actually act as a government until their is a ruling coalition. thus, they haven't had a government for 249 days. they just have all the structures of government in pause.

 

[juvanya]

i think belgians government doesn't actually act as a government until their is a ruling coalition. thus, they haven't had a government for 249 days. they just have all the structures of government in pause.

Theyve had a government, but not a Government (a cabinet).

 

[Bman]

Theyve had a government, but not a Government (a cabinet).

Ah, so kind of lick gridlock. Those times in American history where as our government does the lesser amount of damage.

 

[juvanya]

Ah, so kind of lick gridlock. Those times in American history where as our government does the lesser amount of damage.

Half the country is French; half is Dutch. Why it remains together is beyond me. They clearly havent learned anything from Switzerland (which seems to be the only multi-ethnic stable country in the world--compare the UK and Canada).

Oh, but yes they do (like gridlock). I think this actually happened like two years ago as well. I didnt even realize it happened again until a few days ago because I remember it happening recently as well.

 

[fatjohn]

Belgium marks 'political record'
Those idiots! They should be happy they don't have a government and just abandon this stupid idea entirely.

We had a party celebrating our world record if you must know. It was called the 'fries revolution' after our famous dish (yes fries are claimed to be belgian and not french)
Anyway why the country stays together is difficult to tell, the only alternative would be 3 tiny states: Flanders, Wallonia and City state Brussels.
But for structural changes like that you need a two third majority i think and the reality is that a small half Wallonia and Brussels, likes the money it gets from Flanders.
And among the flemish probably half wants to stay one nation too, even if its just is for not living in an even smaller country that will get even less medals on the olympics.

 

[2young2vote]

That is interesting! Is it kind of like Wisconsin where they can't really pass any bills?

 

[heavenlyboy34]

Already have a thread on this http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showth...-celebrates-anarchic-record&highlight=Belgium, but nice to see it's a popular topic.

 

[bucfish]

Anyway why the country stays together is difficult to tell, the only alternative would be 3 tiny states: Flanders, Wallonia and City state Brussels.

And why is the only alternative 3 "states" I am sure their are many more alternatives.

 

[anaconda]

They still have Government so how can they say they don't? Also, why does Somalia not have the world record?

Perhaps Somalia can appeal. Probably a technicality.

 

[anaconda]

i think belgians government doesn't actually act as a government until their is a ruling coalition. thus, they haven't had a government for 249 days. they just have all the structures of government in pause.

Are the government paychecks in "pause?"

 

[Halert]

Allow me to shine some light on this topic,

Belgian is a Federation of 2 states, one french speaking called Wallonie and the other dutch speaking called Flemings.
There are in Belgian no politic party's represented in both states, so you always need a government with party's from both states.
In wallonie a socialists party(yes they call them selfs socialists) won the Election and in flemings a right winged nationalist party won. These party's are as far away from each other as you can get it will be really difficult for them to reach an agreement. On top of that there is a district in flemings where a lot of walloniers live and they can vote there for partys in wallonie, the flemings want that they can only vote for flemings partys in that district(just like in the rest of Belgian you can only vote for partys in the state you live) and the walloniers want to keep it the way it is and that causes a lot of trouble as well seeing how both partys are determined to get success there.

that is why it is taking so long.

 

[fatjohn]

yes, and in my view either the socialists need to grow up and wake up, which is one alternative. Albeit a highly unlikely alternative. Or Belgium splits up into three states, which is the most beneficial way for all IMHO. Then there are 50 other alternatives which, if implimented, will cause for another political impasse just a few more years down the road.

 

[fatjohn]

Are the government paychecks in "pause?"

No