Belgian King Appoints Mediator for Coalition Talks

Belgium's coalition talks have reached an impasse, prompting King Philippe to appoint Maxime Prevot from the Francophone centrist party Les Engages as the new mediator after Bart De Wever of the N-VA resigned due to stalled negotiations largely over a proposed capital gains tax. The coalition, comprising five parties, was initially aiming for a government to address pressing socio-economic reforms and the country's excessive budget deficit, which stands at 4.4% of GDP. The resignation of De Wever, who had initiated the talks, has raised concerns about prolonged political limbo in a country known for its lengthy coalition negotiations, which once lasted 541 days. Prevot now has 10 days to resolve the deadlock, with the outgoing government remaining in a caretaker role. The situation underscores the complexities of Belgium's linguistic and political divisions, as parties grapple with budget cuts and tax proposals. The need for decisive action is pressing, as the European Commission has flagged Belgium for potential disciplinary measures due to its budgetary issues.