Sex ban suggested for Belgian coalition negotiators

The partners of Belgian politicians are being urged to go on a sex strike until a government is formed. The country had general elections last June but parties have so far been unable to form a governing coalition.

Socialist senator Marleen Temmerman said after a week of a similar sex ban in Kenya in 2009, a government was formed. Previous attempts to pressure Belgian negotiators into agreement have included a "grow a beard" campaign.



It is now 241 days since the elections, and Belgium is fast approaching an unofficial world record. Apart from Somalia, it is reported that only Iraq has taken longer (249 days) to form a government.

"I call on the spouses of all negotiators to withold sex until a deal is reached," said Ms Temmerman. "Have no more sex until the new administration is posing on the steps of the Palace." She said if politicians' partners followed her suggestion, the "palaver" of coalition-forming would be resolved quite quickly.