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Agence France-Presse

Belgium’s King Philippe officially named Budget Minister Sophie Wilmes interim prime minister on Sunday, making her the first woman to hold the post.
Wilmes, a liberal francophone, replaces Charles Michel, who is set to take over as European Council president in December.
Wilmes, 44, made her political debut in 2000 as a councillor in Uccle, outside Brussels. She went on to become a member of parliament in 2014 and joined the federal government a year later.
She was selected as the caretaker prime minister late on Saturday by a small ministerial committee, but she has no parliamentary majority.

Belgium has not had a fully functioning federal government since a coalition headed by Michel collapsed in December 2018.
Negotiations to form a new coalition have stalled since parliamentary elections in May produced fragmentary results.
Since early October, talks between the French-speaking socialist PS party and the Flemish nationalist N-VA party to form a new government have collapsed.
The parties must first bridge their differences before they can form a government and bring in other parties.
Beer-mad Belgium moves to save historic drinking dens
The first report of on their negotiations must be submitted to King Philippe on November 4.
Belgium, which hosts Nato and the EU, has a reputation for being ungovernable.
In 2010-11, it had a record 541 days without a government.


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European Union

‘Ungovernable’ Belgium names Sophie Wilmes as first woman prime minister

Sophie Wilmes, who was appointed Belgium’s prime minister on Sunday, at a press conference in Brussels in February. Photo: AFP

TOPSHOT - Belgian outgoing Prime Minister Charles Michel and Belgian new Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes pose after her appointment on October 27, 2019 in Brussels. - Belgian Budget Minister Sophie Wilmes has been chosen as the country's new caretaker prime minister, a first for a woman, the current premier Charles Michel said on October 26, 2019. (Photo by NICOLAS MAETERLINCK / Belga / AFP) / Belgium OUT

Belgium’s ex-king Albert II, faced with daily US$5,600 fine, agrees to DNA test in love-child case

Belgium’s former king has submitted a DNA sample demanded from a woman who says she is his daughter after a court ordered him to pay 5,000 euros ($5,586) a day if he failed to do so.

FILE - In this April 2008 file photo, Delphine Boel, poses for photographers with her book "Cutting the Umbilical Cord" in Brussels. A decades-old royal paternity scandal is setting Belgium abuzz again. Lawyers said Tuesday, May 28, 2019 that Belgium's former King Albert II has finally agreed to a DNA test, demanded by Boel who claims to be his out of wedlock daughter. (AP Photo/Thierry Charlier, File)

Albert, who now has no formal public role, has acknowledged that he and wife Paola had marital difficulties. He has not commented on Delphine Boel. File photo: AFP

Belgium lapses into minority government over UN migration pact

(L-R) Sander Loones is the Belgian Minister of Defence, Belgian Finance Minister Johan Van Overtveldt, Belgian Interior Minister Jan Jambon, Bart De Wever, New Flemish Alliance (Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie, N-VA) party leader, Belgium State Secretary for Poverty and Equal opportunities Zuhal Demir and Belgian Secretary of State for Asylum, Migration, member of NVA Party Theo Francken give a press conference after the NVA left the negotiation during a Minister Council in Brussels, Belgium, 08 December 2018. The NVA threatens to leave the Belgian government if Prime Minister Charles Michel goes to Marrakesh to defend the UN migration pact. Photo: EPA-EFE

epa07218521 Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel speaks at a press conference to announce that he will go to Marrakesh in Brussels, Belgium, 08 December 2018. Earlier in the day New Flemish Alliance (Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie, N-VA) party threatened to leave the government if Prime Minister Charles Michel will go to Marrakesh to defend the UN migration pact. According to reports, Michel announced that N-VA will no longer be part of the government and that he will form new coalition. EPA-EFE/STEPHANIE LECOCQ

epa07218319 Belgian Secretary of State for Asylum, Migration, member of NVA Party Theo Francken during an NVA's press conference after the NVA left the negotiation during a Minister Council in Brussels, Belgium, 8 December 2018. The NVA threatens to leave the Belgian government if Prime Minister Charles Michel goes to Marrakesh to defend the UN migration pact. EPA-EFE/STEPHANIE LECOCQ

Phone scammers cheat Belgium’s foreign affairs office out of 1.2 million euros – with part of the cash landing in Hong Kong account, writ says

Of the sum involved, 169,705 euros was transferred to an HSBC bank account of company in Sheung Wan, according to High Court document

General view of The High Court in Admiralty. 16AUG18 SCMP / Roy Issa

An employee deposited 1.18 million euros into a bank account after being duped in a phone call. Photo: EPA

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World

Europe


Budget minister takes over as interim PM, replacing Charles Michel, who will take over as European Council president in December
Country has not had fully functioning federal government since coalition headed by Michel collapsed in December 2018



Budget minister Sophie Wilmes takes over as interim PM, replacing Charles Michel, who will take over as European Council president in December.


Gender

‘Ungovernable’ Belgium names Sophie Wilmes as first woman prime minister

Budget minister takes over as interim PM, replacing Charles Michel, who will take over as European Council president in December Country has not had fully functioning federal government since coalition headed by Michel collapsed in December 2018

Budget minister takes over as interim PM, replacing Charles Michel, who will take over as European Council president in December

Country has not had fully functioning federal government since coalition headed by Michel collapsed in December 2018