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Belgium beats 'world record' in talks to form government

While politicians wallow in Belgium's longest political crisis which pits the leaders of 6 million Dutch-speaking Flemings against those of 4.5 million Francophones, people from around the country are celebrating crisis day no. 249 today - which many see as equaling the world record for trying to form a government, held by Iraq.

Updated on: Feb 17, 2011, 15:38:20 IST
AP | By , Brussels
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The world record awaits official ratification, but why spoil the chance for a good party?

HT Image
HT Image

While politicians wallow in Belgium's longest political crisis which pits the leaders of 6 million Dutch-speaking Flemings against those of 4.5 million Francophones, people from around the country are uniting in celebration of crisis day No. 249 on Thursday - which many see as equaling the world record for trying to form a government, held by Iraq.

In Ghent, they hope 249 people will strip naked to mark the days of the crisis as part of a party expected to draw thousands. There will be free fries, Belgium's beloved national dish, in Leuven and lots of Belgian beer in the French-speaking town of Louvain-la-Neuve. In short, parties galore for what many across the world would consider a humiliation.

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