Pressure mounts on Belgian PM / Belgium edges towards political crisis

Article reports that pressure was mounting on the Belgian prime minister Yves Leterme to resign, 18 December 2008, over allegations that his government had tried to prevent the country’s judges from blocking the dismantling of Fortis, the troubled financial services group. The case threatens to further destabilise the Belgian government, only in place since March 2008.

On the 19 December 2008 Yves Leterme proposed the resignation of his entire government. The country's justice minister had already resigned over the issue.

ESO: Background information: Belgian banking map changes http://www.europeansources.info/record/belgian-banking-map-changes/

France24, 18.12.08: Belgium PM accused of pressuring justice in Fortis affair http://www.france24.com/en/20081218-yves-letermen-belgium-pm-accused-pressuring-justice-fortis-dismanting-bank-

NRC Handelsblad, 18.12.08: Belgium lurches from crisis to crisis http://www.nrc.nl/international/Features/article2097876.ece/Belgium_lurches_from_crisis_to_crisis

Radio Netherlands Worldwide, 18.12.08: BNP Paribas calls off Fortis deal http://www.rnw.nl/english

France24, 19.12.08: Belgian PM proposes government resignation over Fortis scandal http://www.france24.com/en/20081219-yves-leterme-prime-minister-proposes-government-resignation-fortis-dismantle-justice-belgium

Deutsche Welle, 19.12.08: Belgian government offers resignation http://www.dw-world.de/dw/0,,1429,00.html

BBC News, 19.12.08: Belgian PM proposes resignation http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7792533.stm

IHT Europe, 19.12.08: Belgian government offers resignation over bank bailout http://international.nytimes.com/

Radio Netherlands Worldwide, 19.12.08: Belgium's government offers to resign over Fortis affair http://www.radionetherlands.nl/currentaffairs/region/europe/081219-belgium-leterme

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