Impasse at the heart of Europe as Belgium fails to form coalition

THE depths to which politicians can sink are on view at the heart of Europe — in Belgium.

Now eight months, or 217 days without a government, the leaders of the political parties play games with attempts to form a coalition to manage the federal state.

The long-suffering Belgians are making what are in reality feeble attempts to chide their politicians. They range from a call to men to stop shaving, to registering on a website giving the politicians three months to get their act together or pay back their salaries.