The Belgian king wrote to the Congolese president expressing regret for Belgium's brutal colonization. It was a surprising rupture with the royal tradition of silence on the country’s colonial history.
The palace has also tried to shrug off its reputation as a fortified building full of mysteries. Political meetings have been moved from the palace in Laeken in outer Brussels to the palace in the city center, where it’s easier to film handshakes and where citizens can catch a glimpse of the royals.
As in the United Kingdom, there’s a strong consensus in Belgium that the monarch should stay out of politics. But the prohibition does not apply when there’s no government. Whereas the British queen does not get involved in coalition building and only ceremoniously appoints the prime minister, the Belgian king has a key role in the forming of a new government.It’s at that time when his political power is at its height — and at the same time, at its most vulnerable.
So far, more than a year after the 2019 election, Philippe has yet to find a stable coalition — Prime Minister Wilmès heads an emergency government given provisional powers during the coronavirus crisis. But few blame him for the impasse.The reaction to Phillippe’s letter to the Congo highlights the challenge facing the monarch: What if Belgium’s needs are too big to solve?
The political impasse — one of the most complicated in the country’s complicated history — has revived questions about the future of Belgium. The country’s quarreling regions aren’t just linguistic rivals, they’re moving quickly apart politically.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NASCAR is a rare sport that has found success navigating an era of upheavalThe stock car racing association has found a route through a global pandemic and a national reckoning on race that has eluded many other major sports.
Read more »
Dermot O'Leary announces son's surprising name live on airDermot O'Leary announces son's surprising name live on air
Read more »
Post Malone’s Rosé Is … Totally Kind of Okay?“If I had to describe the flavor in a few words I would say it’s a bit like drinking a pink starburst, which everyone likes, but nobody loves”
Read more »
31 MLB players test positive for virus; NASCAR star Jimmie Johnson also positive31 Major League Baseball players and 7 staff members tested positive for the coronavirus, league and union officials said Friday.
Read more »
The Hamilton Movie Finally Lets All Fans Debate What Really Happens at the EndNo matter how well you know the album, the movie's final moment will take you by surprise.
Read more »