The king must decide whether to accept resignations offered by the Prime Minister, Yves Leterme.

He says he will not decide rightaway, and has begun discussions about the crisis. Deputy Prime Minister Didier Reynders urged caution. “There’s a financial crisis, and a social and economic crisis. There’s an interprofessionnel deal on the table, and budget measures for 2009. It’s up to those who want to assume their responsibilities to see how to bring stability to our country.” Bart Somers, who leads the liberal Open Vld party, gave his reaction: “What has come out in this report is serious, really serious. It’s just not possible in a democratic state.” Elio di Rupo, President of the Socialist Party, spoke of a terrible financial and economic crisis. “There is a social crisis here, with big, big difficulties. We haven’t voted on the budget, we haven’t concluded the agreement between employers and the unions, and we find ourselves with a resigning government.” In July, Leterme tendered his resignation after failing to break a deadlock between Belgium’s linguistic groups, but the king declined it. Most of Belgium’s political parties ruled out the option of early elections to resolve the current crisis.More about: Belgium

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