Belgium playing with fire

EU Commissioner Karel de Gucht said in an interview on Monday that Belgium could be the next victim of the financial markets. Meanwhile the designated Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo is making slow progress with the 2012 austerity budget. The daily Le Soir calls for swift decisions: "After so many months of negotiations the formation of a government cannot fail because of the budget. This would be incomprehensible and irresponsible. Naturally, budget decisions entail debate and conflict but the basic facts and the conditions are well-known to everyone! They are virtually dictated by economic necessity, and the European financial sector will determine their extent and the structural reforms. ... This may be regrettable but it's too late to complain now. We have run out of time and arguments. To play with fire and hope that a mistake could have positive side effects would be suicidal."

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