Belgium tumbled into a political crisis today, a little over two months before it assumes the rotating presidency of the European Union, as its prime minister, Yves Leterme, presented his resignation to the king, Albert II, according to dpa. Leterme was forced to take the step after his five-party coalition failed to agree on delineating an electoral district including Brussels and its outskirts - the latest issue that divides the French and Dutch-speaking communities that make up the country. "The king held an audience ... with Prime Minister Yves Leterme, who presented the resignation of his government," a statement from the royal palace said, adding that the monarch had not yet decided whether to accept it. "The king is reserving his decision," the palace said. The crisis was precipitated by the Dutch-speaking liberal party, Open VLD, which insisted on respecting a deadline set Thursday to vote on the redrawing of the Brussels-Hal-Vilvoorde (BHV) district, dismissing requests by coalition partners to continue negotiating on a compromise. Remaining in office despite Open VLD's defection would have left Leterme, hailing from the Dutch-speaking Christian democrats CD&V, with a razor-thin parliamentary majority, but little realistic chance of long-term survival. Belgium is divided between the Dutch-speaking majority and the French-speaking minority. They are bitterly at odds over the question of who should have more political rights over Brussels, a largely French-speaking city in Dutch-speaking territory. The political crisis could cast a shadow over Belgium's upcoming presidency of the EU, set to start on July 1 for a six-months term. If fresh elections were called, Belgium risks assuming the helm of the 27-nation bloc with only a caretaker government in place. That prospect seemed to worry several politicians, as well as the king. "A political crisis in the current circumstances would be inopportune and would greatly damage the economic and social welfare of citizens, as well as Belgium's role on the European scene," Albert II said in his statement, adding that Leterme agreed with him. Strained relations between the French and Dutch communities has made coalition politics increasingly difficult in Belgium. After the last general elections in June 2007, it took over nine months to form a government, presided by Leterme. He then resigned in December 2008 over a banking scandal, but returned in office last year when his successor, Herman Van Rompuy, was appointed president of the EU. Leterme's resignation also looked likely to revolutionize the parliamentary agenda, with a planned vote Thursday on banning public wearing of the burqa and other types of Islamic veil expected to be put off. Were it to be approved, the proposal would make Belgium the first country in the European Union to enforce such a ban, which France is also considering.
