Belgium's German-speaking Community becomes first to form government
Belgium's German-speaking Community has become the first in the country to form a new government after the elections. The coalition of the regionalist ProDG, Christian democrats CSP and liberals PFF has a majority of 16 out of 25 seats. Oliver Paasch of ProDG remains minister president.
ProDG will occupy two of the four ministerial posts. In addition to the position of minister-president, Paasch will be responsible for Finance and Regional Planning. Lydia Klinkenberg will be minister of Social Affairs.
Jérôme Franssen of CSP will be the new minister of Education and Employment, while Gregor Freches of PFF will be in charge of Culture, Sport, Youth and Tourism.
ProDG and CSP announced on Monday that they had agreed to form a government, with 13 out of 25 seats. Because of the small majority, they wanted a third party to join their coalition.
PFF entering the government means that the 34-year reign of the socialist SP in East Belgium comes to an end, as it joins the opposition for the first time since 1990. Vivant and Ecolo will join them.
Paasch said earlier this week that he wanted to form a government quickly to prepare for the upcoming negotiations on the Belgian budget.
The German-speaking Community's minister-president Oliver Paasch © BELGA PHOTO LUCIEN LAMBOTTE
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