BRUSSELS, 28 MAY, 1950

Following the end of the Royal Question with the abdication of Leopold III and the ascendance of Baudouin to the role of Prince-Regent, the Eyskens government has been left in tatters. The Liberals soon left the government and forced the Christians to request a new election. Baudouin acquiesced by dissolving Parliament. Now, it was the time to fight for a new government that could rebuild Belgium once more.

The Social Christian Party (PSC/CVP)

The PSC-CVP decided to leave Gaston Eyskens behind. The former PM showed he could not manage the situation in Belgium appropriately and, instead, Jean Duvieusart was picked as their candidate. Duvieusart had formerly served as Minister of Economic Affairs in the Spaak government and was known for his prudence and his interest in a complete administrative reform of the Belgian civil service.

The Socialist Party of Belgium (PSB/BSP)

The PSB-BSP decided to support Max Buset for the role of Prime Minister. Spaak has refused the position after arguing that it was time for a new Socialist government, but he was already being selected for the role of Minister of Foreign Affairs - if the Socialists won, anyway.

The Liberal Party (PL/LP)

The Liberals and Roger Motz decided to support Albert Devèze as their candidate to the premiership. Many within the party criticized this decision, arguing that Devèze was lethargic and could not react to the (very active) left-wing in Belgium. Nevertheless, Motz pointed Devèze as a competitive candidate due to his ample experience in pre-war Belgium. "I have the utmost trust in Devèze. I think that his experience and what he represents, as a man of the old world that we once had [...] is what we need at the moment." Is what Motz said to the Het Laatste Nieuws.

THE RESULTS

The Chamber of Representatives

The Senate

The Election of Aimée Bologne-Lemaire

In a pleasant turn of events, Aimée Bologne-Lemaire - who had joined the PSB/BSP in 1948, was voted into Parliament as an MP of Brussels-Capital Region. A feminist and a member of the resistance movement, Aimée had participated in the 1948 BSP Congress and, now, she was going to be selected to compose the Buset government.

The Aftermath

Although not wholly unexpected, the downfall of the PSC/CVP is widely attributed to the major defeat of the party regarding the Royal Question. Protests all over the place led to a perception that Gaston Eyskens was a weak Prime Minister, leading the Liberals to abandon him as soon as Baudouin was accepted as the new Prince-Regent.

Now, a new coalition will have to emerge. The only possible solution was a coalition between the Socialists and the Liberals - or another snap election. A grand meeting occurred on the 30th of May and the minutiae of it were negotiated for a while. The conclusion was that Max Buset would become Prime Minister. This was sent to King Baudouin on June 15 of 1950 after a long period of negotiation to ensure that each party received their desired portfolio. On the 16th of June, the Buset Cabinet was unveiled.

The Max Buset Cabinet

SUMMARY

• Snap elections have ensued in Belgium following the Royal Question.

• The PSB/BSP has formed a coalition with the PL/LP, with Max Buset, a social democrat, taking the forefront.

Edit: Changed 'Roger Motz Cabinet' and other similar mistakes to Max Buset, the intended leader.