Belgium seems to be plunged into another crisis as the country's supreme court said Thursday that Prime Minister Yves Leterme had attempted to block a court ruling regarding the Fortis bank.
In a letter to the lower house of the Belgian parliament, Belgium's supreme court president Ghislain Londers said that "everything possible" had been done to try to prevent the delivery of a ruling by the Brussels Court of Appeals which froze the breakup of Fortis for 65 days.
Such allegations dealt a severe blow to the credibility of Leterme, who became prime minister just before Easter after nine months of difficult negotiations to form a coalition government.
On Wednesday the entire opposition called for his resignation following media reports that his aides had exerted pressure on public prosecutors in the Fortis case. They said the prime minister had violated the principle of the separation of the state and the judiciary.
The court ruled last week that the partial sale of Fortis to French bank BNP Paribas could not proceed before shareholders were consulted.
In October the Belgian government brokered the deal in a bid to salvage the Belgian-Dutch financial services group, which was facing enormous difficulties due to the financial crisis.
Leterme admitted there had been contacts but denied any interference. But Belgian lawmakers, including those belonging to the governing parties, have expressed outrage.
The Belgian parliament on Wednesday ordered a probe into the allegations.
Earlier in the day, Leterme explained his contacts concerning the Fortis case to the most important ministers of the cabinet in an emergency meeting. His explanation was seen as sufficient and his vice premiers later said they had faith in him and his government.
Belgian broadcaster VRT reported that Justice Minister Jo Vandeurzen and Finance Minister Didier Reynders are also allegedly involved in the attempt to influence the judiciary.
BNP Paribas on Thursday suspended its bid to acquire Fortis assets, saying the process is taking too long. |
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