The new Federal Government posed for the traditional family photo on the Parliament's staircase on Tuesday.
While the four women in the government were clearly visible this time, the outline of what looked like a 16th government member could be seen at the top of the stairs.
Much ink has already flowed over the picture taken on Monday at the Royal Palace in Brussels with the King. The four female ministers in the Federal Government were not clearly visible: either they were behind a man or standing in their shadow.
The photo soon came to symbolise criticism from the opposition, which complained about "one of the least female governments in recent history."
However, one of the new photos taken on Tuesday also took on somewhat symbolic connotations, but for completely different reasons.
Zoomed version of the family portrait of the new Federal Government, with Bouchez in the background. Credit: Belga/Benoit Doppagne
At the top of the staircase is MR leader Georges-Louis Bouchez, who appears to be overseeing the new Federal Government. The MR leader had renounced a ministerial post on Monday, even though he had negotiated the coalition agreement.
While Bouchez was reportedly given the competence of Interior Affairs, he chose to remain party leader in the end.
Some suspect that, as with the previous 'Vivaldi' government, he will assert his authority from outside – complicating the government's work.
