Dec 22 (Reuters) - Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme has ruled out a return to office after his government collapsed on Friday.
Following are profiles of possible successors:
JEAN-LUC DEHAENE
Dehaene, 68, was prime minister from 1992-1999 and has been a member of the European parliament since 2004. France and Germany put him forward as a European Commission president in 1994, but Britain vetoed his candidacy.
Dehaene has been active in business life, sitting on a number of boards, and took up the chairmanship of Dexia in October when the Franco-Belgian financial group received 6.4 billion euros in a state-led bailout.
He would bring the necessary experience and authority, but could be too left wing for the liberal Open VLD.
HERMAN VAN ROMPUY
Van Rompuy, 61, is the president of the lower house of parliament. He was the man the king turned to as a mediator in August 2007 when Leterme first failed to form a ruling coalition.
Van Rompuy was budget minister in Dehaene's government and brought Belgium's debt down sharply from some 130 percent of gross domestic product in 1993.
More of a conservative within the Christian Democrats, Van Rompuy is viewed as an intellectual.
Understood not to be overly keen to succeed Leterme, given the economic problems he would take on, the Christian Democrats might nevertheless persuade him to take office.
GUY VERHOFSTADT
Verhofstadt, 55, stepped in a year ago at the request of the king after Leterme had failed to form a ruling coalition and led an interim government until March, notably passing a budget.
His short period in office made him very popular, notably among French-speakers who saw him as a figure of unity.
The liberal earned the nickname 'baby Thatcher' for his economic views in the 1980s, but softened in office of premier from 1999-2007.
Like Dehaene, he was also mooted as a European Commission president candidate, in 2004, with French and German backing, but Britain was against.
It is not clear if Verhofstadt would be willing to return. His appointment might also be too much of a humiliation for the Flemish Christian Democrats.
DIDIER REYNDERS
Reynders, 50, has been finance minister since 1999 and is the most obvious political heavyweight among French-speakers.
Analysts believe he covets the top job, although he has said he is not a candidate for now. It is debatable whether the majority Dutch-speaking Flemish parties or his electoral rivals the socialists would accept him as premier.
MARIANNE THYSSEN
Thyssen, 52, has since May been chairwoman of the biggest party in parliament, the Flemish Christian Democrats, which would traditionally decide who becomes prime minister.
Thyssen is not a well-known, even in Belgium, having been most active in the European parliament. She was elected a member in 1991 and became vice chair of the centre-right grouping in 2004.
She is viewed as a distant outsider for the premiership.
((For possible scenarios for Belgium, click on))
(Compiled by Philip Blenkinsop) Keywords: BELGIUM/CANDIDATES (Brussels newsroom; 32 2 287 6810, fax +32 2 230 7710; belgium.newsroom@reuters.com) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2008. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
Following are profiles of possible successors:
JEAN-LUC DEHAENE
Dehaene, 68, was prime minister from 1992-1999 and has been a member of the European parliament since 2004. France and Germany put him forward as a European Commission president in 1994, but Britain vetoed his candidacy.
Dehaene has been active in business life, sitting on a number of boards, and took up the chairmanship of Dexia in October when the Franco-Belgian financial group received 6.4 billion euros in a state-led bailout.
He would bring the necessary experience and authority, but could be too left wing for the liberal Open VLD.
HERMAN VAN ROMPUY
Van Rompuy, 61, is the president of the lower house of parliament. He was the man the king turned to as a mediator in August 2007 when Leterme first failed to form a ruling coalition.
Van Rompuy was budget minister in Dehaene's government and brought Belgium's debt down sharply from some 130 percent of gross domestic product in 1993.
More of a conservative within the Christian Democrats, Van Rompuy is viewed as an intellectual.
Understood not to be overly keen to succeed Leterme, given the economic problems he would take on, the Christian Democrats might nevertheless persuade him to take office.
GUY VERHOFSTADT
Verhofstadt, 55, stepped in a year ago at the request of the king after Leterme had failed to form a ruling coalition and led an interim government until March, notably passing a budget.
His short period in office made him very popular, notably among French-speakers who saw him as a figure of unity.
The liberal earned the nickname 'baby Thatcher' for his economic views in the 1980s, but softened in office of premier from 1999-2007.
Like Dehaene, he was also mooted as a European Commission president candidate, in 2004, with French and German backing, but Britain was against.
It is not clear if Verhofstadt would be willing to return. His appointment might also be too much of a humiliation for the Flemish Christian Democrats.
DIDIER REYNDERS
Reynders, 50, has been finance minister since 1999 and is the most obvious political heavyweight among French-speakers.
Analysts believe he covets the top job, although he has said he is not a candidate for now. It is debatable whether the majority Dutch-speaking Flemish parties or his electoral rivals the socialists would accept him as premier.
MARIANNE THYSSEN
Thyssen, 52, has since May been chairwoman of the biggest party in parliament, the Flemish Christian Democrats, which would traditionally decide who becomes prime minister.
Thyssen is not a well-known, even in Belgium, having been most active in the European parliament. She was elected a member in 1991 and became vice chair of the centre-right grouping in 2004.
She is viewed as a distant outsider for the premiership.
((For possible scenarios for Belgium, click on))
(Compiled by Philip Blenkinsop) Keywords: BELGIUM/CANDIDATES (Brussels newsroom; 32 2 287 6810, fax +32 2 230 7710; belgium.newsroom@reuters.com) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2008. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
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