Belgium Update

[GenX]

So, it was Hans who chided me on the fact the U.S. election of 2000 took almost two months to finally settle (even so, there never was one second that the country was without a government. By the time the inauguration came around there was, as usual, a peaceful handover of power).

Well ,well...

"Five months after elections failed to produce a government many Belgians are beginning to feel that life might just be better without politicians.

The Belgian state is experiencing its worst political crisis for 177 years as it marks 149 days of failure to produce a coalition government after elections on June 10."

LINK

149 days?!?!?!?!?!!?!? [img]/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/shocked.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/sick.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/lol.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/rofl.gif[/img]

[Hans]

It's sad you do not understand plain English.
They are not without a government. The previous government stays in place until a new one is formed, regardless of how long it takes.
I don't know what else I can say to get you to understand this, and I hardly doubt you are unable to understand it.

You just want to be your usual self, annoying and posting links to information you are unable to understand and know very little, or nothing off.

Let me know when you are willing to talk Belgian politics, as you truly need a lesson or 700 about that subject.

[Return of Too Many Daves]

Hans it isn't great or even very democratic though is it? I know Speedy is a pain but if you can't ever admit you are wrong or ever see flaws in your own country then you are the same as him.

[The Berean]

Same as the Parrot?? Thats REALLY bashing!!! What an INSULT!!!

Hans aint the one blind to flaws in his own counrty.

[Hans]

It's not that there's no government for 149 days. If you think about it, you would realize that would end in total chaos.
It has nothing to do with wrong or flaws, it has to do with misinformation.

[starterwiz]

Sounds like they can't get it right, but they're not going to get it wrong just because that's how they do it in the USA.

[Return of Too Many Daves]

Hans I think you are wrong. There is nno democratically elected government at this time. Nobody in Belgium is pretending this is a good thing. Why not show some humility?

[Hans]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Return of Too Many Daves</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hans it isn't great or even very democratic though is it? I know Speedy is a pain but if you can't ever admit you are wrong or ever see flaws in your own country then you are the same as him. </div></div>

That's because you both do not understand Belgian Politics. This is a very common scenario, it's just a bit longer then usual really.

[Return of Too Many Daves]

Hans read the papers everyone knows it is a bit different this time. Also just because it has happened before doesn't make it a good thing.

[Hans]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Return of Too Many Daves</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hans I think you are wrong. There is nno democratically elected government at this time. Nobody in Belgium is pretending this is a good thing. Why not show some humility? </div></div>

No, you are wrong. The old government, which was democratically elected, stays in power until a new one is formed and ready to assume power.
Note that I used the word formed, and not elected. I bet that's a confusing concept for you...

[Hans]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Return of Too Many Daves</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hans read the papers everyone knows it is a bit different this time. Also just because it has happened before doesn't make it a good thing. </div></div>

It did not just happen before, this is part of the process Belgium uses to form a government. It's just taking a bit longer then usual due to the outcome of the elections, which splintered the political landscape into many factions.

And I do read news papers, but I read the original papers. For some reason the multiple English sources Speedy is pointing out do not understand the underlying political environment associated with Belgium.

[Return of Too Many Daves]

Yes but if the old government was formed in response to previous elections then how can they claim to be representing the current wishes of the people. The Nazis were elected in Germany in the past, it does not give them a mandate to govern now.

Look nobody is saying it is disastrous, but it is not a good thing. Don't get prissy about it. Grow up. Just admit it is not an ideal situation. Stop being so pig headed. It's like you and Speedy were seperated ar birth.

[Hans]

It has nothing to do with the current wishes of the people with the new government either. A government in Belgium is formed, not elected.
I have been trying to explain this to Speedy for weeks now...

[Return of Too Many Daves]

But isn't that the same as any country that does not have a majority party that can form a government on it's own. With no majority party, the parties negotiate to form a coalition, the more elected member the more power parties have during these negotiations. If this is not the case I would love to know how it works in Belgium.

But in any case if it does not matter, then why not keep the government that way forever? Why bother forming a new one ever?

[Hans]

The situation in Belgium is special. Hopefully the link below could clear things up for you, but most likely it will make your head spin. I am sure it will point out how complex it is to form a government in Belgium...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Be...ment_formation

I also suggest you read the following links :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elections_in_Belgium
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgian...epresentatives
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgian_Senate

[starterwiz]

You mean this forum is really about politics? I was beginning to wonder.

[Huggy85]

We in North America could learn a lot from Belgium. With a 91% turnout for an election, they might actually end up with a government that represents a majority of the population, rather than just a sampling of those that bothered to turn out to vote.

[DoubleXL]

Speedy actually still goes on with this crap?

[GenX]

TRANSLATION: "I just can't put the guy on 'ignore'. He's the best thing about this board"