BELGIUM’S TANGLED POLITICAL CRISIS

Wanganui Chronicle, 27 April 1950, Page 5

BELGIUM’S TANGLED POLITICAL CRISIS

1 VL.IIIVML. VIXIDIO LONDON, April 26 (Recd. 7.30 pm). —Belgium’s six-weeks-old Government crisis appeared in a state more tangled than ever today as the Pre-mier-designate, Mr. Paul can Zeeland, prepared a report to the Regent, Prince Charles, on the latest political situation. Mr. van Zeeland, as leader of Belgium’s strongest party (Catholic Social Christians), had hopes of forming a Government, to succeed the coalition which resigned after the referendum on March 12. favouring the exiled King Leopold’s return. But on March 25 Mr van Zeeland returned from Geneva with a message from King Leopold in which the King refused to give a specific promise of what he would do after handin- over power to his 19-year-old son Prince Baudouin, as suggested in his recent broadcast.

Last night the Socialist Party chairman, Max Buset, charged that King Leopold was sabotaging the three-party negotiations to end the constitutional and governmental crises. Other party attitudes were: Socialists.—“ Obviously the King’s latest letter tends to cut short inters party talks.” Liberals.—“ Our position is not exclusive but differs from that of the Socialists in many points, such as the question whether or not the King should leave the country after the temporary transfer of power to hts son.”

The Catholics. —“As far as our party Is concerned, we consider negotiations between Ihe parties ovev We want Mr. van Zeeland to form a Government without delay.”