VZCZCXYZ0013
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBS #2041 1721414
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 211414Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5709

UNCLAS BRUSSELS 002041 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PINR BE
SUBJECT: BELGIAN COALITION FORMATION -- LETERME EXPECTS A 
CALL FROM THE KING, WILL SOON RESIGN REGIONAL POST TO 
CONCENTRATE ON FEDERAL LEVEL 
 
 
¶1. (U) Summary:  During a June 20 meeting with Ambassador 
Fox, Flemish Minister President Leterme said he planned to 
put together a four-party Christian Democrat/Liberal 
coalition if, as expected, King Albert asked him to form the 
next federal cabinet.  Leterme intends to reach out to the 
opposition for support of constitutional changes shifting 
further powers from the federal level; the government 
formation process is likely to continue into late August. 
Promoting economic growth will be a major focus of Leterme's 
energy, particularly in the depressed rustbelt sections of 
French-speaking Wallonia -- bridging the "economic divide" 
will, he argued, do more to ease relations across the 
language border than anything else.  End summary 
 
¶2. (U) On June 20, Ambassador Fox met with Yves Leterme, 
Minister-President of Belgium's Flemish region, and, thanks 
to a spectacular success in the June 10 federal elections, 
the man who will have first crack at becoming Belgium's next 
prime minister.  Leterme welcomed the Ambassador to Belgium, 
asked about the company the ambassador founded, and invited 
him to accompany him on a visit to Ypres, Leterme's hometown. 
 The Ambassador urged Leterme to visit Washington, where he 
would work to arrange appropriate meetings. 
 
¶3. (U) Leterme left no doubt that he expected King Albert II 
to ask him to form a government.  Shortly before the meeting 
began, Leterme explained, he put the finishing touches on 
plans to announce his resignation from the 
Minister-President's post and devote himself exclusively to 
federal politicking.  The resignation will occur on June 26, 
two days before the next parliament sits for the first time. 
 
¶4. (U) Asked about the cabinet formation process, Leterme 
immediately made clear that he has no plans to work with the 
socialists.  It will be "a four party coalition," he said, 
"involving the Christian Democrats and the Liberals."  Such a 
grouping would provide him with a majority of 81 seats in the 
150 member House of Representatives.  To acquire the 
additional nineteen seats required to form a two-thirds super 
majority (something required for passing constitutional 
reforms), Leterme outlined plans to seek votes from the 
opposition parties, but not to offer them places in a 
coalition.  He has given thought to asking the two Green 
parties to join a coalition, but has yet to reach any firm 
conclusion. 
 
¶5. (U) Leterme professed himself determined to proceed with 
constitutional reforms, i.e., devolving further powers to the 
regions, despite the strong opposition of the francophone 
parties.  As a result, there is every chance that the 
government formation talks could take a long time to bear 
fruit.  He will grant a brief early August vacation to the 
pols who will be fashioning a coalition, but does not expect 
the process to be finished before the end of August. 
 
¶6. (U) On the issue of the linguistic divide, Leterme was 
determined to dispel his image as a Flemish hardliner.  He 
described hard economic times in the French-speaking region 
as the most visible source of linguistic friction in Belgium; 
he intends to devote considerable energy to helping the 
francophone areas revive their economy.  The long-term 
benefits of such a revival would help the broader Belgian 
community, he noted, and assist with the process of building 
links between both language groups.  Fox 
.