Yves Leterme has been appointed Belgium's new prime minister, ending nine months of political deadlock which threatened the unity of the country.
Yves Leterme has been appointed Belgium's new prime minister, ending nine months of political deadlock which threatened the unity of the country.
Mr Leterme, of the Flemish Christian Democrats, will head a coalition of Dutch- and French-speaking parties.
Mr Leterme, of the Flemish Christian Democrats, will head a coalition of Dutch- and French-speaking parties.
His party had been seeking more devolution for the Dutch-speaking regions - a move strongly resisted by the French-speaking groups.
His party had been seeking more devolution for the Dutch-speaking regions - a move strongly resisted by the French-speaking groups.
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 was sworn in by King Albert II at the royal palace in Brussels.
Mr Leterme was sworn in by King Albert II at the royal palace in Brussels.
His five-party coalition government replaces that of caretaker PM Guy Verhofstadt.
His five-party coalition government replaces that of caretaker PM Guy Verhofstadt, whose resignation was accepted by the king.
"It's a good deal for a government with balanced measures," Mr Leterme said earlier this week.
Mr Leterme and his new cabinet are due to be officially sworn in shortly and will then face a confidence vote in parliament.
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.
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.
The European Commission had warned that the political paralysis was beginning to affect Belgium's economy.
Are you in Belgium? What is your reaction to the formation of a new government? Do you welcome the end of the country's political deadlock? Send us your comments using the form below.
Are you in Belgium? What is your reaction to the formation of a new government? Do you welcome the end of the country's political deadlock? Send us your comments using the form below.
