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Belgium's King Albert appointed Flemish Christian Democrat Yves Leterme as prime minister for a second time on Wednesday. He replaces Herman van Rompuy, who was elected to the EU presidency by European leaders last week.

"The king has accepted the resignation of Mr Van Rompuy from his functions as prime minister and, following his recommendation, named Mr Yves Leterme as prime minister," the palace said in a statement.

A smooth transition is especially important in Belgium, where politics are dominated by divisions between the Flemish and French-speaking communities.

Despite his image as a dull bookkeeper, Leterme was the clear winner of federal elections in June 2007, but failed to form a coalition government with francophone parties until the following year. He was then forced to resign amid accusations of political meddling over the sale of troubled bank Fortis last December, though he was later cleared of any wrongdoing.

Ex-prime ministers mobilized

The previous incumbent, Van Rompey, said Leterme had "all the elements to prove he will be a good prime minister." He had aided Leterme's political rehabilitation by appointing him foreign minister in July 2009, a post he has held until now.

King Albert had asked another ex-prime minister, Wilfried Martens, to ensure "a quick and efficient transition" so as to retain the relative serenity that Van Rompuy had managed to bring to Belgium's government.



But the return of Leterme will cause concern among Belgium's southern, French-speaking province of Wallonia. They see him as being more radically Flemish than Van Rompuy and more sympathetic to the wealthier, Dutch-speaking province of Flanders in the north.

Leterme is also well known for his political gaffes. He once said that all the Belgian's share is "the king, the national football team and certain beers." When asked if he knew the words to the country's national anthem before being officially sworn in as prime minister in 2007, he recited the opening lines of "La Marseillaise," the French national anthem.

The cabinet is expected to remain largely the same.

hl/AFP/Reuters
Editor: Nancy Isenson