Belgium's government falls: palace

[brooklynite]

Source: DPA

Brussels - Belgium's government fell on Monday, three days after the prime minister offered his resignation in a row over language and political rights, the royal palace announced.

The collapse comes amidst feuding between Dutch- and French-speakers over the division of the Brussels electoral district, and two months before Belgium is set to take over the European Union's rotating presidency.

...snip...

The political collapse comes after more than a week of deadlock between the Flemish (Dutch-speaking) majority and francophone minority over the division of the Brussels-Hal-Vilvoorde electoral district, the only bilingual constituency in the country.

Read more: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/320661,belgian-government-falls--update.html

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They could take a tip from the Republican Party and just require everyone to speak English.....

[cemaphonic]

1. heh, that might work

In my experience, everyone in the Brussels metro area speaks English pretty well.

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. Wouldn't it be lovely if we had the option of calling for new elections

like England and other European countries do?
Lose the voter's confidence, out ya go.

[proudohioan]

3. Yes.

My SO and I have often discussed this very issue.

[Blue_Tires]

4. man...they still haven't settled that language battle after all these years...

[valerief]

5. It's the Israel-Palestine of Europe, I guess. nt

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. It's been called the 'cockpit of Europe' for 400 years

(that's 'cockpit' as in 'where cockfights happen', not 'where you control a yacht or plane from').

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgium#cite_note-11