Divided Belgium to assume caretaker EU role
BRUSSELS — Profoundly divided Belgium will take the European Union chair on July 1 in the midst of an unprecedented debt crisis, but leading EU figures maintain they are relaxed at the prospect. When voting ends on Sunday in Belgium’s general election, it could take months for the kingdom’s political parties to fashion a new coalition government — especially if, as polls predict, Flemish separatists seize the upper hand. As a result, the current caretaker government would have to take the reins of the EU’s presidency — still an agenda-setting role in crucial economic and other policy areas despite the creation of a permanent EU president last year. The day-to-day executive running affairs across the 27-nation bloc, the European Commission, has expressed its confidence that Belgium will run an efficient six-month programme during its six months at the helm. Of course, the main thrust of Belgian EU priorities have already been worked out — in conjunction with Spain, the current post-holder, and Hungary, which will take over on January 1 next year. “Many political formations have helped to elaborate the presidency plans and it seems highly unlikely that a new coalition will want to alter it,” said outgoing Belgian minister for European affairs, Olivier Chastel. Belgium is one of the EU’s six founding nations and serves as the home of the main EU institutions — a major employer and economic driver. Source: The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100614com5.html |
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