Verhofstadt III Government

2007–11 Belgian political crisis
Timeline 2007 elections 2007–08 government formation Verhofstadt III (interim) Leterme I Van Rompuy I Leterme II 2010 elections 2010–11 government formation Di Rupo I Sixth state reform
See also Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde Partition of Belgium State reform in Belgium Politics of Belgium Cabinet of Belgium

The Verhofstadt III government was an interim Belgian government inaugurated on December 21, 2007^[1] and lasting until 23 March 2008. It was led by Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt government and contained representatives from the Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats (Open VLD), Flemish Christian Democrats (CD&V), the Francophone Socialists (PS), the Francophone Liberals (MR) and Francophone Christian Democrats (CDH).

It was succeeded by a permanent government led by CD&V leader Yves Leterme.^[2]

Formation of government

When the Parliament confirmed the formation of this interim Government, it had been 196 days since the Belgian people had voted out the previous coalition, the longest period of formation in Belgian history.

Composition of government

The government consisted only of ministers. The composition of the interim Government as decided in the inaugural Council of Ministers is as follows:^[3]

The Restricted Council of Ministers (KERN) is the arbitration arm of the executive, which arbitrates disputes within the Government. Under the interim Government, it consists of the Prime Minister and five members of Government representing the five parties in coalition, namely both Deputy Prime Ministers as well as the Minister of Employment, the Minister of Social Affairs and Public Health and the Minister of the Interior.^[4]

Under the interim Government deal, it was understood that Yves Leterme will take over the post of Prime Minister no later than 23 March.^[5] On March 20, Leterme officially succeeded Verhofstadt and a new government was formed.

Government declaration

The government declaration to which the parties agreed consists of ten points. The main task of the government is to prepare the 2008 budget. Social security benefits will be increased, and businesses will see their shift work costs reduced. A service agreement will be negotiated with the national railway operator. A national security plan is proposed, and the Treaty of Lisbon will see a quick ratification.^[6][7]

Government policy

One of the first actions of the newly installed government was to raise the Belgian security level in response to a possible Islamic terrorist threat.^[8]

See also

• 2007–2011 Belgian political crisis

References

Belgian government cabinets 1830–present   Cabinets 1830–1918 Provisional Government de Gerlache Lebeau I de Muelenaere Rogier I de Theux de Meylandt I Lebeau II Nothomb Van de Weyer de Theux de Meylandt II Rogier II de Brouckère de Decker Rogier III Frère-Orban d'Anethan de Theux de Meylandt-Malou Frère-Orban-Van Humbeeck Malou-Jacobs-Woeste Beernaert de Burlet de Smet de Naeyer I Vandenpeereboom de Smet de Naeyer II de Trooz Schollaert de Broqueville I de Broqueville II (in Le Havre) Cooreman 1918–1995 Delacroix I Delacroix II Carton de Wiart Theunis I Van de Vyvere Poullet Jaspar I Jaspar II Renkin de Broqueville III Theunis II Van Zeeland I Van Zeeland II Janson Spaak I Pierlot I Pierlot II Pierlot III Pierlot IV (in London) Pierlot V Pierlot VI Van Acker I Van Acker II Spaak II Van Acker III Huysmans I Spaak III Spaak IV G. Eyskens I Duvieusart I Pholien I Van Houtte I Van Acker IV G. Eyskens II G. Eyskens III G. Eyskens IV Lefèvre I Harmel I Vanden Boeynants I G. Eyskens V G. Eyskens VI Leburton I Leburton II Tindemans I Tindemans II Vanden Boeynants II Martens I Martens II Martens III Martens IV M. Eyskens I Martens V Martens VI Martens VII Martens VIII Martens IX Dehaene I 1995–present Dehaene II Verhofstadt I Verhofstadt II Verhofstadt III Leterme I Van Rompuy Leterme II Di Rupo Michel   Formations 2007-2008 2010-2011 2014