Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BRUSSELS1961
2008-12-30 15:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:
BELGIUM: IT'S A GOVERNMENT: VAN ROMPUY NEXT TO
how-toVZCZCXRO7152 OO RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHBS #1961 3651508 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 301508Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS TO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8418 RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC IMMEDIATE INFO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
UNCLAS BRUSSELS 001961
SIPDIS
USDOC FOR 4212/ITA/MAC/EUR/OECA/WNE/JLEVINE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINR BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM: IT'S A GOVERNMENT: VAN ROMPUY NEXT TO
LEAD FIVE-PARTY COALITION
REF: BRUSSELS 1959 AND PREVIOUS
UNCLAS BRUSSELS 001961
SIPDIS
USDOC FOR 4212/ITA/MAC/EUR/OECA/WNE/JLEVINE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINR BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM: IT'S A GOVERNMENT: VAN ROMPUY NEXT TO
LEAD FIVE-PARTY COALITION
REF: BRUSSELS 1959 AND PREVIOUS
1. (U) Herman Van Rompuy will be the next Prime Minister of
the Kingdom of Belgium, heading a coalition of the same five
political parties who comprised the previous administration
of outgoing Prime Minister Yves Leterme (CD&V). Leterme had
resigned on December 19 following allegations of political
meddling in the judicial process of the appeals case
involving the potential sale of Fortis Bank to French bank
BNP Paribas. In addition to Van Rompuy (CD&V) as PM, Guido
De Padt (Open VLD) will become Minister of Interior,
replacing Patrick Dewael (Open VLD),who will take Van
Rompuy's position as President (Leader) of the House.
2. (U) Both francophone and Dutch-language websites reported
the formation of the government in mid-afternoon local time,
and said that it is expected that Van Rompuy will be sworn in
by King Albert II at 5:00 p.m. local time. A few minutes
following the announcement of the new government, the press
announced that Stefaan de Clerck (CD&V) will become the next
Justice Minister, replacing Jo Vandeurzen, who also resigned
December 19 as a result of the Fortis case. Press reports
quote Van Rompuy's spokeperson as saying that the House could
formally deliver a vote of confidence on the new
administration as early as Friday, January 2. Press reports
also said that following the swearing-in at the Palace and a
photo session, the new Council of Ministers will meet tonight
to go over a declaration that new PM Van Rompuy is to present
to Parliament on Wednesday, December 31 at 11 a.m.
BUSH
.
SIPDIS
USDOC FOR 4212/ITA/MAC/EUR/OECA/WNE/JLEVINE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINR BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM: IT'S A GOVERNMENT: VAN ROMPUY NEXT TO
LEAD FIVE-PARTY COALITION
REF: BRUSSELS 1959 AND PREVIOUS
1. (U) Herman Van Rompuy will be the next Prime Minister of
the Kingdom of Belgium, heading a coalition of the same five
political parties who comprised the previous administration
of outgoing Prime Minister Yves Leterme (CD&V). Leterme had
resigned on December 19 following allegations of political
meddling in the judicial process of the appeals case
involving the potential sale of Fortis Bank to French bank
BNP Paribas. In addition to Van Rompuy (CD&V) as PM, Guido
De Padt (Open VLD) will become Minister of Interior,
replacing Patrick Dewael (Open VLD),who will take Van
Rompuy's position as President (Leader) of the House.
2. (U) Both francophone and Dutch-language websites reported
the formation of the government in mid-afternoon local time,
and said that it is expected that Van Rompuy will be sworn in
by King Albert II at 5:00 p.m. local time. A few minutes
following the announcement of the new government, the press
announced that Stefaan de Clerck (CD&V) will become the next
Justice Minister, replacing Jo Vandeurzen, who also resigned
December 19 as a result of the Fortis case. Press reports
quote Van Rompuy's spokeperson as saying that the House could
formally deliver a vote of confidence on the new
administration as early as Friday, January 2. Press reports
also said that following the swearing-in at the Palace and a
photo session, the new Council of Ministers will meet tonight
to go over a declaration that new PM Van Rompuy is to present
to Parliament on Wednesday, December 31 at 11 a.m.
BUSH
.