The Verhofstadt III government was an interim Belgian government inaugurated on 21 December 2007[1] and lasting until 23 March 2008. It was led by Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt government and contained representatives from the Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats (Open VLD), Flemish Christian Democrats (CD&V), the Francophone Socialists (PS), the Francophone Liberals (MR) and Francophone Christian Democrats (CDH).
It was succeeded by a permanent government led by CD&V leader Yves Leterme.[2]
See main article: 2007 Belgian government formation. When the Parliament confirmed the formation of this interim Government, it had been 196 days since the Belgian people had voted out the previous coalition, the longest period of formation in Belgian history at the time.
The government consisted only of ministers. The composition of the interim Government as decided in the inaugural Council of Ministers is as follows:[3]
| Minister | Name | Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister | Guy Verhofstadt | Open VLD | ||
| Deputy Prime Minister - Finance and Institutional Reform | Didier Reynders | MR | ||
| Deputy Prime Minister - Budget, Mobility and Institutional Reform | Yves Leterme | CD&V | ||
| Social Affairs and Public Health | Laurette Onkelinx | PS | ||
| Interior | Patrick Dewael | Open VLD | ||
| Foreign Affairs | Karel De Gucht | Open VLD | ||
| Economy, the Self-employed and Agriculture | Sabine Laruelle | MR | ||
| Pensions and Social Integration | Christian Dupont | PS | ||
| Employment | Josly Piette | CDH | ||
| Justice | Jo Vandeurzen | CD&V | ||
| Defence | Pieter De Crem | CD&V | ||
| Climate and Energy | Paul Magnette | PS | ||
| Development Cooperation | Charles Michel | MR | ||
| Civil Service and Public Enterprises | Inge Vervotte | CD&V |
The Restricted Council of Ministers (KERN) is the arbitration arm of the executive, which arbitrates disputes within the Government. Under the interim Government, it consists of the Prime Minister and five members of Government representing the five parties in coalition, namely both Deputy Prime Ministers as well as the Minister of Employment, the Minister of Social Affairs and Public Health and the Minister of the Interior.[4]
Under the interim Government deal, it was understood that Yves Leterme will take over the post of Prime Minister no later than 23 March.[5] On 20 March Leterme officially succeeded Verhofstadt and a new government was formed.
The government declaration to which the parties agreed consists of ten points. The main task of the government is to prepare the 2008 budget. Social security benefits will be increased, and businesses will see their shift work costs reduced. A service agreement will be negotiated with the national railway operator. A national security plan is proposed, and the Treaty of Lisbon will see a quick ratification.[6] [7]
One of the first actions of the newly installed government was to raise the Belgian security level in response to a possible Islamic terrorist threat.[8]