Thriller, thriller night!

Alot is happening as we speak in our little country by the sea. The ongoing formation has officially been declared a record. Never has it taken this long to form a government in Belgium. Never has the influence of the media been bigger, never had the cards been dealt so unfavourable after elections, never has the power of Flemish nationalists been bigger, never has an electoral candidate been so incapable of decision making,... Things are actually going from bad to worse.

Tomorrow a commission of the parliament might vote for the one-sided division of the electoral district of Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde. In short: this district is the only district in Belgium where people can vote for both Francophone as Dutch speaking candidates. Sounds as common sense in a country as ours, but Flemish nationalists wish to divide this district and to make it impossible to vote for someone that doesn't speak your own language. In some of the Flemish cities the population has as much as 80% Francophone people. In return parties as PS and CDH and especially FDF want to expand the Brussels' community with one or two cities. Polls have stated that most people of the surrounding cities of BXL are in favour of this matter. But of course the Flemish nationalists don't want to surrender nor give up land.

Tonight the last feeble matter and solution was offered by Mr. Leterme (CD&V), prime minister-to-be. Both Flemish nationalists of NVA (the cartel partners of CD&V) as FDF and CDH turned down the offer. If your partner shifts the political spectrum of your government to one side and then decides to refuse to come half way, you are knee deep in trouble. That's what has happened. Of course radical solutions breed radical reactions and all Francophone parties refuse to take a step as well.

But that's not all that happened this week. Socialist minister (of the current government) Frank Vandenbroucke has finally said what many people were thinking out loud. Bart De Wever (NVA) is not only a threat to our country and our peace, he is a threat to his own movement and beliefs. He is a fool blinded by power. He has a complete lack of ability to compromise, rationalise, see things in perspective or relativize. As he has proved after the conviction of Hans Van Themsche and the apoligy of the Antwerp mayor to the Jews for their position during the second world war.

If it comes to a vote the orange-blue government will have failed even before they were officially formed. The crisis will be complete. Let's see what happens tomorrow.