Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BRUSSELS1959
2008-12-29 10:35:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:
KING ASKS SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE VAN ROMPUY TO FORM
how-toVZCZCXRO5889 PP RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHBS #1959 3641035 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 291035Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8417 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 001959
SIPDIS
STATE PASS EUR/WE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/28/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV BE
SUBJECT: KING ASKS SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE VAN ROMPUY TO FORM
GOVERNMENT
Classified By: Acting DCM Richard Eason for reasons 1.4 B & D.
(C) The King asked Speaker of the House Herman Van Rompuy to
form a government December 28. A former Budget Minister who
reduced Belgium's public debt in the 1990s, Van Rompuy had
repeatedly said he was not interested in being Prime Minister
after Yves Leterme's resignation December 19. Van Rompuy is
considered acceptable by the Liberal parties, as he poses no
apparent electoral threat. It is likely the government
formed will maintain the same majority parties, but could
take several days to negotiate. Press reports indicate that
all ministers except discredited JustMin Jo Vandeurzen are
likely to maintain their portfolios.
BUSH
.