Belgium is probably the world’s best known case of where caretaker governments reside. Yet a clear scholarly definition and measurement of this concept is missing. Based on a detailed analysis of the Belgian federal cabinets, this research note explores the main characteristics and measures the length of the various caretaker periods. We find that Belgium was governed for no less than 1,485 days by a caretaker government between 2007 and 2020, which equals more than four full calendar years. This research note also presents a novel typology of caretaker periods based on the institutional and political practice within the Belgian legislative and executive branches. This typology can be used to assess caretaker periods at other levels of government as well as in other countries in order to improve our understanding of the many ‘faces’ that a caretaker government can take on. |
Refine your search
Research Note |
Caretaker Cabinets in BelgiumA New Measurement and Typology |
Journal | Politics of the Low Countries, Issue 1 2021 |
Keywords | caretaker government, Belgium, cabinets, political crisis |
Authors | Régis Dandoy and Lorenzo Terrière |
AbstractAuthor's information |
Notes from the field |
Re-establishing human links in communities affected by disseminated pesticide pollution |
Journal | The International Journal of Restorative Justice, Issue 1 2021 |
Authors | Jordi Recorda Cos |
Author's information |
Notes from the field |
Dutch developments: restorative justice in legislation and in practice |
Journal | The International Journal of Restorative Justice, Issue 1 2019 |
Authors | Annemieke Wolthuis, Jacques Claessen, Gert Jan Slump e.a. |
Author's information |
Showing all 3 results
You can search full text for articles by entering your search term in the search field. If you click the search button the search results will be shown on a fresh page where the search results can be narrowed down by category or year.