The plumber

The king of the Belgians, Albert II, has appointed a negotiator to try to clear the way for Yves Leterme to form a government. The man who is tasked to clear the way is none other than ex-premier Jean-Luc Dehaene, also called the plumber. Yes, the plumber is rather good at fixing things, but the question is whether Belgium needs a plumber to fix the leaking toilets and central heating? Probably not at this time. Belgium needs somebody with vision to chart the course, not a plumber to fix things. The problem is, there is nobody with vision to be found.

Dehaene himself called his mission “impossible”, but added that, like in the movies, missions impossible are usually brought to a happy end. It is nevertheless doubtful that this one will. The Flemish and French-speaking parties are too far apart to be able to form a government. Would-be premier Yves Leterme campaigned on a program of transferring more powers to the regions. If he doesn't deliver, he is going to be bloodied at the next general elections, and even earlier than that, his union with the NV-A will blow up. But the French-speaking parties don't want to have any more powers transferred to the regions, certainly not the MR, which is eager to be part of the next government, because more powers to Wallonia would mean more powers to the PS, which remains the largest party in the south of the country.

Those problems are much too significant for a plumber to fix. Dehaene himself is not very eager this time, because he won't become the next prime minister and he won't get much honor form clearing the way for Leterme even if he succeeds.

Belgium as it exists now has become ungovernable.