BELGIUM: Royal Deadlock

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King Leopold would have to continue cooling his royal heels in his Swiss exile. After 46 days of haggling over the question of his return (TIME, July 18), Belgium's politicians last week put together a cabinet. Fifteen portfolios were divided between ardently pro-Leopoldist Christian Socialists (eight) and mildly pro-Leopoldist Liberals (seven), leaving the adamantly anti-Leopoldist Socialists out.

In the bargaining Leopold's Christian Socialist supporters, just short of a parliamentary majority, gave up their drive to recall the King at once. The Liberals entered the cabinet only on condition that the royal question be left unanswered for another three or four months.

New Premier in this uneasy coalition was youngish (44), handsome Gaston Eyskens, who as former Finance Minister had been the scarecrow of Belgian taxpayers. His tax collectors, to whom he had given virtually inquisitorial powers, had outraged Belgians, who are highly imaginative deduction hunters. A learned, conservative economist, Eyskens will push strict government economy, lower taxes, fewer state controls.

The Foreign Ministry went to the Christian Socialists' staunchest Leopoldist, ex-Premier Paul van Zeeland. Almost continuously for the past 13 years the Foreign Affairs portfolio had been held by the Socialists' able Paul Henri-Spaak, who last week became president of the Council of Europe's Consultative Assembly. Commented a Belgian newspaper: "Lost for Belgium but won for Europe."

In Brussels, Spaak's fellow Socialists pledged a diehard fight against the King's return. "We shall not pour water into our wine," growled burly Socialist Boss Max Buset. "We are now in the opposition and we will counterattack."