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Belgian government to be sworn in Belgian government to be sworn in
(10 minutes later)
A new government is due to be sworn in Belgium, ending nine months of political deadlock which threatened the unity of the country.A new government is due to be sworn in Belgium, ending nine months of political deadlock which threatened the unity of the country.
The new PM is expected to be Yves Leterme of the Flemish Christian Democrats who won last year's election.The new PM is expected to be Yves Leterme of the Flemish Christian Democrats who won last year's election.
The party had been seeking more devolution for Belgium's Dutch-speaking regions - a move strongly resisted by the French-speaking parties.The party had been seeking more devolution for Belgium's Dutch-speaking regions - a move strongly resisted by the French-speaking parties.
But a deal with the Francophone parties was hammered out on Tuesday.But a deal with the Francophone parties was hammered out on Tuesday.
Mr Leterme is due to be sworn in by King Albert II at the royal palace in Brussels later on Thursday.Mr Leterme is due to be sworn in by King Albert II at the royal palace in Brussels later on Thursday.
He will then be heading a five-party coalition, replacing caretaker PM Guy Verhofstadt.He will then be heading a five-party coalition, replacing caretaker PM Guy Verhofstadt.
"It's a good deal for a government with balanced measures," Mr Leterme said earlier this week."It's a good deal for a government with balanced measures," Mr Leterme said earlier this week.
The new government agenda, which is still to be approved, leaves out references to constitutional reform, concentrating instead on immigration, tax-cuts and pension benefits.The new government agenda, which is still to be approved, leaves out references to constitutional reform, concentrating instead on immigration, tax-cuts and pension benefits.
Mr Leterme's party won elections in June 2007 but until Tuesday was unable to reach agreement on a coalition.Mr Leterme's party won elections in June 2007 but until Tuesday was unable to reach agreement on a coalition.
In December, thousands of trade unionists took to the streets in Brussels, complaining about the political stalemate and rising food and fuel prices.
The European Commission had warned that the political paralysis was beginning to affect Belgium's economy.