Belgian politics in 1987
- Ivan Couttenier
Abstract
In 1987 the Martens center-right cabinet had to resign over the perennial Fourons issue. The many painstakingly reached compromises each time met strong opposition from the Francophone Social Christian Party (PSC) and its ministers on the government benches. Once the government resignation accepted by the King, Parliament was dissolved and elections were held. They resulted in a Socialist victory, and a personal
defeat for Prime Minister Martens. In the election aftermath, a cabinet of Christian Democrats and Socialists became more likely.
Because of the Fourons issue, the Cabinet found hardly time to address their other issues, and many of the decisions it reached were never implemented because of the government crisis ; e.g. the tax reform plan.
The most important decision in the international field was the sending of minesweepers to the Gulf.
How to Cite:
Couttenier, I., (1988) “Belgian politics in 1987”, Res Publica 30(2-3), 201231. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/rp.v30i2-3.18897
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