Crisis in Belgium: The governing coalition breaks over the UN migration pact.
After a night long crisis meeting with members of his own party the right leaning MR (Mouvement Réformateur – Reform Mouvement) as well as politicians of his coalition partner, far right N-VA (La Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie – The New Flemish Alliance), Belgian head of state Charles Michel decided to move on with his will to sign the UN migration pact today.
He replaced ministers of the his coalition partner N-VA by state secretarys of his own party, continued at home with a minority government and flew to Marrakesh to sign the pact.
The Good Side
My country is going to be on the good people’s side said Michel in a speech in front of representatives of 150 countries united in Marrakesh.
La Libre on the events in Marrakesh
The Majority
Despite the trouble at home Michel could confidently say so, since the federal chamber has voted in favor of the pact last Thursday. Since Charles Michel’s decision to break up with the smaller coalition partner the issue is quietly fading out of the public discourse.
Brussel Express about a government in crisis
Still the smaller but nonetheless louder N-VA isn’t yet giving in that easily. In a rather unlikely alliance with the party Groen (Greens) and S.P.A. (Different Socialist Party) they demand a vote of confidence for Michel’s minority government. A move Charles Michel might ignore for the last five months of his government.