http://www.flandersnews.be/cm/de.redactie.english/news/080419_laloux
State Secretary Laloux resigns
(Belga)
Sat 19/04/08 - Fr=E9d=E9ric Laloux (Francophone socialist), the state
secretary to combat poverty, decided he had to resign his post to,
"remain true to his values and engagement." Fr=E9d=E9ric Laloux says that
he could no longer be part of a team which he calls the "Star Academy
of politics".
The government of Prime Minister Yves Leterme was sworn in on 20
March. Fr=E9d=E9ric Laloux seemed to appear almost out of no where. He
first attracted media attention when he complained that he had no
cabinet and had to do his work from his car. As it turned out, this
was just a media stunt- he did have an office, but it was apparently
not fixed up sufficiently to his liking.
Within his own Francophone socialist (PS) party there has been much
contention regarding Mr Laloux's appointment as state secretary,
especially because many established PS members did not get a post in
the new government.
Recently, Philippe Moureaux, the number two in the PS, attacked Mr
Laloux openly. An investigation is also underway against Mr Laloux in
his home town of Namur for alleged abuse of petrol cards for
officials.
Prime Minister Yves Leterme (Flemish Christian Democrat) has accepted
the state secretary's resignation. PM Leterme has said he respect's Mr
Laloux's decision.
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