Verhofstadt II Government
The Belgian Government Verhofstadt II was from 12 July 2003 until 21 December 2007 at the office. On 14 July 2003, she said, the Chamber of Deputies of the trust. The government consisted of fifteen Ministers (Prime Minister included) and six secretaries of state.
This second of Guy Verhofstadt (VLD ) -led government set up a hand composed of the Flemish and Francophone Liberals (VLD and MR) and on the other hand, the Flemish and Francophone Socialists ( sp.a and PS). It received the name " purple 'coalition ' ( larger needles paars, French violet ) based on the mix between blue and red ( the colors of the forming parties). In addition, the party spirit, the small cartel partner of sp.a and splinter party of the former Flemish nationalist Volksunie was part of the government.
The Government Verhofstadt II was the successor to the Government Verhofstadt I, which in turn was composed of liberals, socialists and greens (so-called " Rainbow Coalition "). Since the latter after the elections of 18 May 2003, there were no longer necessary for the formation of a majority in the federal parliament, liberals and socialists decided to ask the government alone. The government was formed after 35 days of the hearing.
During their term II twice profound personal changes were made to the Government Verhofstadt. First, on 18 July 2004 after the regional and European elections, as a result of which the Francophone Liberals Louis Michel was sent to the European Commission and various ministers left the federal government to join the governments of the communities and regions. And then a second time on 17 October 2005 resigned as the Flemish socialist Johan Vande Lanotte, after he was elected party president of sp.a. As outgoing government finally left Armand De Decker and Rudy Demotte the government to take office as president, respectively, of the Senate and Minister President of the Walloon Region.
In the elections of 10 June 2007, the Liberals and Socialists lost their majority in parliament. The government, however, remained officially until December 2007 as outgoing government in office since the then designated Regierungsbildner Yves Leterme (CD & V -N -VA) failed to establish a new government. On 21 December 2007, Guy Verhofstadt formed finally at the request of the king to rid the country of the impasse " transitional government " Verhofstadt III, and thus officially dissolved the government Verhofstadt II.