LOC21:05
18:05 GMT
BRUSSELS, Oct 21 (KUNA) -- King Albert II of Belgium Thursday appointed a
new Royal Mediator in a fresh attempt to form a coalition government and lead
the country out of the current political crisis.
The mediator, a former minister and Flemish socialist Johan Vande Lanotte,
met with the King today evening, Belgian media reported.
Elections were held in Belgium in June but the country is till run by a
caretaker government as coalition talks between the Flemish and Francophone
political parties collapsed due to disagreement over state reforms.
The Flemish nationalist part N-VA and the Francophone socialists emerged as
the two biggest parties following the June elections.
Belgium is divided on linguistic lines between the Dutch-speaking region
Flanders in the north and the French-speaking region Walloon in the south.
Several attempts by mediators in the past have failed to achieve any
breakthrough.
Last week, the Francophone parties turned down proposals by the Flemish
nationalist leader Bart De Wever on distribution of funds for the regions.
The new mediator Vande Lanotte is said to be acceptable to both the Flemish
nationalists and the Francophone socialists. (end)
nk.tg
KUNA 212105 Oct 10NNNN