The Year Without a Coalition: Belgium's Unnoticed Caretaker Government

Belgium's caretaker government's tenure as the longest in modern history lasted an astonishing 541 days, from March 2019 to September 2020. This period, marked by intense coalition negotiations, surprisingly saw people continue with their daily lives almost unbothered. In this article, we will explore how life in Belgium functioned without a formal government and the limited actions taken by the caretaker administration.

Life during the Caretaker Government

While the political stalemate and negotiations dragged on, life in Belgium continued much as before. The country did not come to a standstill, and this period offered a unique insight into the efficiency—or lack thereof—of the caretaker government.

Many Belgians, including some who were deeply involved in politics, barely noticed the lack of a formal government. During my time living in Belgium from 2009 to 2011, I observed firsthand how the streets were maintained and daily affairs continued smoothly. The absence of a government didn't impact the routine lives of most residents.

The caretaker government served a limited role, primarily managing daily affairs. However, it faced significant challenges in making crucial decisions, such as those related to the national budget. These decisions were crucial for the functioning of the country, yet the caretaker administration was unable to implement them effectively due to the ongoing negotiations.

How the System Functioned

The Belgian political system has an intricate and decentralized structure with multiple layers of governance. There are six governments: the federal government, three regional governments (Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels-Capital), and three language communities (Dutch, French, and German).

This complex setup meant that even when one government was in caretaker mode, other entities continued to function. For instance, if someone lived in Brussels and worked for the federal government, their children attended a Dutch-speaking school, and they participated in a French-speaking youth club, five different governments were involved in their daily activities. Despite this, the overall impact on daily life was minimal.

It's important to note that a caretaker government in Belgium is somewhat analogous to a crew on a ship without orders. The primary task is to prevent the ship from sinking and handle emergencies if necessary. However, the primary responsibility lies with the federal government, which cannot override the other regional and community governments. This structure ensured that life could continue largely as usual.

Memorable Moments and Historical Context

A particularly noteworthy event during this period was Belgium breaking the record for the longest government-free run, which was recognized in Iraq. On the day we broke this record, Gent (a city in Belgium) was in the middle of a celebration. During the festivities, Iraqi immigrants were found, and Belgium was officially handed the record from Iraq. This moment was appropriately followed by the organizers moving on to the next segment of the concert.

Belgium's political system, despite its complexity, occasionally works in its favor. With over 11 million residents, Belgium has managed to maintain a high number of governments, each with specific responsibilities. This decentralized approach minimized the impact of a single government's absence on the overall operation of the country.

However, it should be noted that the absence of a full government did not equate to a state of lockdown. The federal government, which was out of action during this period, fell under the category of current affairs. This meant that essential services continued to function on autopilot to ensure minimal disruption to daily life.

Conclusion

Belgium's record-breaking caretaker government provides a fascinating case study of how a complex political system can continue to function effectively during a period of governmental inaction. The limited role of the caretaker government and the decentralized nature of Belgian governance ensured that daily life was largely unaffected by the prolonged political negotiations.