Belgian Politics in 1993

In: Res publica: politiek-wetenschappelijk tijdschrift van de Lage Landen ; driemaandelijks tijdschrift, Band 36, Heft 3-4, S. 269-281

Abstract

The major changes in the Belgian political agenda for 1993 are reviewed. The state constitutional reforms embodied in the Saint-Michael Agreement directed the nation toward a new federalism, distancing itself from the linguistic-based separatism of the past. The unexpected death of the country's monarch, King Baldwin, after forty-two years on the throne, & his succession by Albert II as the sixth King of the Belgians, are discussed. Problems with social welfare provisions, continued high unemployment, & decreasing competitiveness of the Belgian economy on the global market prompted a new crisis plan to restructure public spending, which was challenged by trade unions. Issues in Belgium's international relations & defense policy are also considered. J. Sadler