Marathon debate on government policy ends in the early hours

Belgian MPs sat until the early hours of Thursday morning debating the new government’s policy plans. The marathon session lasting 21 hours began at 10.00 on Wednesday and was finally brought to a close at 7.00 yesterday morning.

The long session was an indication of fierce opposition to the policy plans of the new federal government from the Flemish and French-speaking socialist parties, who are not part of the ruling coalition for the first time in 25 years.

By the end of the night, just 50 MPs were still present in the chamber. “It was a long night. This almost never happened in the Flemish parliament, which is just across the street,” said Flemish liberal Bart Tommelein, new to the chamber.

The parliament convened again yesterday afternoon to continue debating policy plans. The session began with an apology from Flemish nationalist Theo Francken, now state secretary for asylum and migration, who was criticised for taking part in a birthday party in honour of a Flemish extremist and posting a message on Facebook in 2011 in which he questioned whether there was any economic benefit from migrants from Morocco, Algeria and the Congo.

“I realise that I hurt people by saying this,” he told the House of Representatives. “I didn’t ever intend to. I want to offer my sincere apologies.”

Francken went on to say that he was committed to serving as a state secretary “who defends the interests of all the people in this country and with great respect for everyone.” This statement was applauded by members of the ruling coalition, ending speculation that he might be forced to resign.

photo, front: Prime minister Charles Michel and minister of work and economic affairs Kris Peeters during the marathon parliamentary sitting

©Thierry Tronnel/CORBIS