A new Belgian government was sworn in yesterday, under the leadership of outgoing Liberal prime minister Guy Verhofstadt, two months after elections notable for having dealt a savage rebuff to the Greens (ED 19/05/03). The administration is a "purple" coalition of Liberals and Socialists.
Mr Verhofstadt identified mobility, biodiversity and climate change as his top environmental priorities. The cabinet immediately announced a rise in petrol and diesel fuel duties aimed at reducing car use and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Motoring organisations attacked the move as simply a tax rise in disguise.
A 28-year old Flemish Socialist, Freya Van den Bossche, has been named as the new minister for environment, consumer protection and sustainable development. A law and media graduate, Ms Van den Bossche is the daughter of the outgoing public function minister, and one of six new ministers with close family ties to previous senior government members
Source : Environment Daily ISSUE 1484 - Tuesday 15 July 2003