Rest to accept the cuts will be necessary

Reassure the financial markets and calm the employer community. It is now the priority which will commit the Government of Belgium in preparing a budget for 2011. The mission was given Monday by King Albert II in the Prime Minister, Yves Leterme ("Les Echos" from January 11), yet at the head, since late April, a resigning Government, whose role was limited up to now only routine and any emergency measures. Better, the King wishes that "the balance of this budget is better than the one agreed with the European authorities". In clear, the Belgium, whose debt approach 100 of the GDP, will have to getting ahead of the deadline set by Brussels in its stability programme, planning to reduce the deficit to 4,1 of GDP in 2011 against 6 in 2010. Finance Minister Didier Reynders had taken the lead in proposing as early as mid-December to 3.7. Rest to accept the cuts will be necessary.

In addition to the discussions that will engage on the budget negotiations between French- and Dutch-speakers to reform institutions and appoint a new Government should continue under the leadership of the Socialist Senator Flemish Johan Vande Lanotte.

The return of the "conciliation".

"Conciliator" royal, whose proposals were rejected by the Flemish separatists of the ver and the Christian-Democrats Flemish CD & V, had submitted his resignation on 6 January. The CD & V have since put water in his wine and all parties, except the ver, welcoming the work done, Vande Lanotte was finally to see its mission extended by the King last night. It should nevertheless be flanked on one side of the President of the ver, Bart De Wever, the other of the leader of the French-speaking Socialists, Elio Di Rupo.

While the Belgium was beaten Saturday with 209 days the sad record for the European country with the most delay in this matter, pressures are increasingly insistent on the financial markets as in labour circles, to form a new Government soon. The Standard & Poor's rating agency warned that the Belgium would see its notes revised downwards in the six months, if it does not quickly new leaders staffed. The international monetary Fund (IMF) has advised the country to clean up it budget "without delay".

"Out of this hell".

On employer settings, they are beginning to give voice. In December, the powerful Federation of Flemish enterprises (Voka) had openly criticized the provocations of the Flemish Independentista leader Wever Bart in the German press, which had thrown oil on the fire to the French. Saturday, the billionaire Albert Frère warned that "the markets are ruthless if the country does not as soon as possible of this hell unprecedented." The difference between borrowing rates to 10 years of the Germany and the Belgium reached 135 base yesterday evening, or as much as the record for November, and same 140 points in the meeting.

Other constraints, other agenda: the Flemish parties, they take their time. The Wever Bart ver, inter alia, requires have sealed off a comprehensive institutional agreement before appointing a Government in its own right. "However, negotiate an institutional reform also deep than the Flemish calling takes time, explains Pierre Vercauteren, political scientist and Professor at the Catholic University faculties of Mons. Yet, on the budget, the economy, social or even immigration, there is urgency.