The man charged with forming a new government in Belgium says he expects to clinch a coalition deal later today.

Flemish Christian Democrat Herman Van Rompuy said he planned to continue with his predecessor Yves Leterme’s plan to battle the looming recession caused by the global financial crisis. The 61-year-old spoke after negotiations late last night between the leaders of the five parties that made up the outgoing administration. It collapsed after the Supreme Court said there were clear indications of political meddling in a court ruling over the bail out of the Fortis Bank. Belgium is expected to have slipped into recession in the fourth quarter. Leterme’s government had planned a two billion euro rescue package.More about: Belgium, Financial Crisis

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