Knowledge about the Belgian situation

**Peasant Phill** · 09-25-2007, 15:52

Belgium, known as Absurdistan by its inhabitants, seems to be in a pickle. The politicians of the two cultures (Walloon and Flemish culture) are paralysing the government formation for more than 100 days by now. It isn't the longest time it took to form a government, but it is getting close to the record.
Every now and than, the media reports on the foreign press and their view of the situation. Apparently, a lot of non Belgian Journalists seem to think that the end of Belgium as a country is near. This is not yet the general feeling in Belgium itself but I'm curious how foreigners look at the current situation, how they get their information and what they see as the cause and result of the current situation.

**Andres** · 09-25-2007, 15:58

Meh, we have excellent beer and something to bet on:

1) when will we have the next government? a) next month b) next year c) within 10 years d) government? we are doing fine for more then 100 days without a government. Why would we need a government for? Hail to the King baby!

2) Who will be the next prime minister: a) Leterme; b) Reynders; c) Verhofstadt; d) Eddy Wally.

3) How many ministers will we have after the next reformation of the state: a) 100; b) 1.000; c) 100.000; d) What? You're Belgian and not a minister? Loser!

What more do you want?

**The_Mark** · 09-25-2007, 16:43

As a foreigner who really doesn't pay much attention to politics I can say that I haven't the foggiest clue of what's going on in there.

I did get a six-pack of Leffe Blonde last weekend, which, I hear, cost 4€. According to my standards, you're doing bloody well down there

Edit: Oh my God, they're served in 25cl bottles! And they're not sealed with the glittery foil paper thingy! What's this mean?

**drone** · 09-25-2007, 16:47

Without a government, nobody is going to be making any stupid laws. Consider yourself lucky.

**The_Mark** · 09-25-2007, 16:54

It tastes a bit bitter. I reckon all's not well in the promised land of beer.

**Peasant Phill** · 09-25-2007, 17:35

Originally Posted by Andres

...
3) How many ministers will we have after the next reformation of the state: a) 100; b) 1.000; c) 100.000; d) What? You're Belgian and not a minister? Loser!

Andres, I really love your sarcasm. Sometimes you just have to be a bit sarcastic to deal with some Belgian solutions. But count yourself lucky, I bet Congo has more ministers than us. (I would like the position of Secretary of State for passive sports in the federal governement or if that one is taken the position of Minister of Japanese influenced flower arranging in the Flemish government)

Originally Posted by The_Mark

I did get a six-pack of Leffe Blonde last weekend, which, I hear, cost 4€. According to my standards, you're doing bloody well down there

Yeah well that's what the common man here thinks. Besides Beer should taste bitter. Leffe isn't something you can chug down in one go, you should take your time and enjoy it. But maybe somethings tastes rotten in the land of beer.

Originally Posted by Drone

Without a government, nobody is going to be making any stupid laws. Consider yourself lucky.

We still have enough other governments for that.

Originally Posted by Kralizec

It seems to me that Leterme can't back down from his demands for extensive reforms, and that the Walloon liberal and christian democrat leaders can't give in one inch on the Flemish demands without risking political embarassment. That's what you get when one side A says "we'll get this done for you" and side B says "we'll make sure that doesn't happen" during the elections.

Well this is the situation in a nutshell. Add to this some issues that have been put off for a decade or more, two parties that haven't been excluded from the federal government since the invention of the bookpress losing big in the elections. If your an inhabitant of any other country than Belgium and are interested in politics this is just one heck of a ride. Sit back and enjoy the rest of the show.

**The_Mark** · 09-25-2007, 18:26

Originally Posted by Peasant Phill

Yeah well that's what the common man here thinks. Besides Beer should taste bitter. Leffe isn't something you can chug down in one go, you should take your time and enjoy it. But maybe somethings tastes rotten in the land of beer.

My first encounter with Leffe led me and my friend to chugging a bar empty of it, enjoying every swing.

This one was disturbingly bitter.

**Geoffrey S** · 09-25-2007, 19:21

I don't know how it is in Belgium, but as far as I can tell in Holland people are aware that things aren't going smoothly in our neighbour but in general just don't care either way. Belgium's problem, deal with it. At least there haven't been any ethnic cleansings.

**Mikeus Caesar** · 09-25-2007, 19:27

Originally Posted by Geoffrey S

At least there haven't been any ethnic cleansings.

Yet...

**Kralizec** · 09-25-2007, 16:53

Originally Posted by Peasant Phill

Apparently, a lot of non Belgian Journalists seem to think that the end of Belgium as a country is near.

I never got the impression it was that bad until I saw Belgium was on sale on Ebay.

Originally Posted by Peasant Phill

This is not yet the general feeling in Belgium itself but I'm curious how foreigners look at the current situation, how they get their information and what they see as the cause and result of the current situation.

It seems to me that Leterme can't back down from his demands for extensive reforms, and that the Walloon liberal and christian democrat leaders can't give in one inch on the Flemish demands without risking political embarassment. That's what you get when one side A says "we'll get this done for you" and side B says "we'll make sure that doesn't happen" during the elections.