Representation
Publication date:
2012-01-01
Volume:
48
Pages:
131 -
138
Publisher:
Routledge
Author:
Hooghe, Marc
Keywords:
1606 Political Science
Abstract:
Since 2007, Belgium has been confronted with an ongoing political crisis. As the two language communities in the country grow further apart, it becomes increasingly difficult to form a coalition government with an electoral system that does not provide any incentives for federal loyalty. During the lengthy coalition negotiations a caretaker government had implemented European policies, which might provide a form of economic stability, but does provoke questions about democratic legitimacy and accountability, while questions have also been voiced about the long-term stability of the Belgian political system.