Belgium world champions!

Well that's it, we've done it!

Belgium has earned today the rather dubious title of world champion in government formation (or should that be non formation?). We took the European title back from the Dutch in January and now with 249 days without a government in place after the elections, we have officially robbed the Iraqui's of their record.

I don't know whether to celebrate (well it's not often my country excels at something other than food!) or cry... Belgium's politics are stupidly complicated; we have over 48 ministers, split over 6 different governments to look after just 10 million people. I can't explain its functioning (or not, as the case may be!) in full details here, it's an essay's worth. But trust me when I say, if you think politics in your country are bad, Belgium's politics are like nothing you've seen before.

Up until quite recently, I thought it was all just laughable, as would most of my compatriots. Belgians are used to overly complicated structures and processes - think the 12 Tasks of Asterix when he has to face the "Administration" - so we'd all come to accept our demented political structure as a fait accompli. But this last long string of failed attempts at forming a government is no laughing matter.

First of all, it is a costly affair. Not only have the Belgians been paying a bunch of ministers to do F-all for the past 249 days but also Belgium's interest rates have been put up by worried lenders.

Secondly, there is the daunting prospect that Belgium could well be at breaking point. The last elections have showed a big split between the north - the Flemish voted mostly right, almost extreme right - and the south - the Walloons voted loyally to the left; new elections will not solve that problem. And if Belgium's elected politicians suddenly found it in their heart to make the necessary concessions to form a government, where do we go from here? You see, this is the second time that Belgium struggles to form a government, at the previous elections, it took them six months. And then that government resigned 2 or 3 times during its term! So really, what hope is there for next time? And more worryingly, if Belgium implodes, what does it mean for Europe?

In typical Belgian self-deprecating fashion, I cheer at the idea of our country breaking a world record. But deep down, I know this is a sad, sad, day for my little surreal country.