When it comes to bumbling along without an elected government, Belgium has form. With the votes split between 12 main political groups, three language communities and three regions, the maths of making a majority is complex by itself. That's before even considering whether a numerical possibility would be workable IRL.
The last government comprised seven parties to secure a 12-seat majority; if successful in securing an agreement, the "Arizona" coalition currently stuck in negotiations will have a seven-seat majority. But with such a breadth of opinion represented within these governments, getting them to settle on a programme of policies is painful in the extreme.
Many parties prefer to fight for their convictions from the opposition benches rather than let go of their defining principles as the necessity of compromise is forced upon them in government.
And although life beyond Belgian politics seems to have changed little, the consequences of such indecision can't be ignored forever. Some sectors are crying out for clarity, exasperated with the interminable rounds of negotiations that still have not delivered a Federal Government – 162 days after ballots were cast.
This is especially true in the realm of business, where Belgium's lack of political direction does nothing to attract investment in the country. The Brussels Chamber of Commerce has been outspoken on this issue, stressing Belgium's unsustainable position, with a deadline to submit a multi-year budget plan to the EU by the end of the year. Failure to do so brings financial penalties, not just from the bloc but also as a result of lower credit ratings, which would drive up the cost of borrowing and servicing national and regional debts.
In light of this, the chief economist for the Flemish business association told The Brussels Times it would be "extremely irresponsible" to drag out government negotiations any further. Coalition partners are being reminded of their duty to end the wait by dropping party politics for the greater good. But will their calls be heard?
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1. Day 162 with no Belgian Government: Parties to negotiate six days a week
"If we try, we can make a government in three to four weeks. That might come back to haunt me but much of the preparatory work has already been done." Read more.
2. Consumers confused by record number of energy contracts
"People get overwhelmed when they have too much choice. They can no longer inform themselves adequately and it becomes difficult to choose at all." Read more.
3. No risk of electricity supply shortages in Belgium this winter
"Under normal market conditions, Belgium should have a limited need for electricity imports (less than 1 gigawatt)". Read more.
4. A race against the clock: Belgium could still have budget for next year
If negotiations now progress, there is still a slim chance of reaching an agreement on the Belgian budget before the end of the year. Read more.
5. Belgian Government: Business sector calls for ‘someone at the wheel’
"Business doesn't want to hear that Belgium is again struggling for months without a government. There are better stories to tell about Brussels, and foreign investors need clarity." Read more.
6. Shots fired at homes in Koekelberg
The perpetrator and the circumstances surrounding the gunshots remain unknown. Read more.
7. At the halfway stage, almost everything remains to be done at the ‘Climate Finance’ COP
Despite securing a technical agreement on carbon credits early on, the results so far have not met the expectations of the most vulnerable countries. Read more.
