Language-Split Belgium Teeters back into Crisis

Belgium risked plunging into a fresh political crisis after attempts to form a coalition government collapsed Wednesday amid allegations Flemish nationalists were not committed to keeping the country together.

Belgium's King Philip, who had tasked tough-talking Flemish nationalist Bart De Wever to try to put together a coalition government, "has discharged him from the mission," the palace said.

The collapse of De Wever's efforts has revived fears of a repeat of the crisis of four years ago when a record-breaking impasse left the country 541 days without a government.

De Wever's separatist N-VA party won a general election May 25, garnering 32 percent of the vote in northern Flanders, making it the country's most popular party.

After four weeks of talks, De Wever on Tuesday submitted a 20-page outline for three potential coalition partners, inviting them to enter exclusive talks to form a federal government.

The road map was swiftly agreed by Flemish Christian Democrats as well as liberal French-speakers, but center-right leader Benoit Lutgen from the south refused to join.

Lutgen said he had failed to win assurances that De Wever would keep the language-divided nation intact.

A De Wever-led government would be "a Belgo-skeptic project," Lutgen told Belgian broadcaster RTL. "The wolf does not become a lamb in a few weeks."

Lutgen's last-minute refusal forces the king back to the drawing-board. "The king will begin consultations this afternoon," the palace said in a statement.

Under the country's traditions, the monarch oversees the formation of new governments, guiding the country's parties towards compromise.

The socialist and French-speaking incumbent Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo, known for only wearing bow-ties, remains in office in a caretaker capacity.