Composition of Government
The government consisted only of ministers. The composition of the interim Government as decided in the inaugural Council of Ministers is as follows:
| 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 |
| Deputy Prime Minister - 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.
Under the interim Government deal, it was understood that Yves Leterme will take over the post of Prime Minister no later than 23 March. On March 20, Leterme officially succeeded Verhofstadt and a new government was formed.
Read more about this topic: Verhofstadt III Government
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