New Belgian King Inherits Political Timebomb

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In Belgium's papers, King Albert II has been portrayed by the country's most fabled cartoonist for the past 20 years as just out of bed and lounging about in a dressing-gown and slippers.

Cartoonist Pierre Kroll's portrayal of a jovial homebody, along with Albert's legendary love of jokes, "helped people to like him and brought him closer to the people," said Bernard Marliere, author of a book on Belgian humour.

But the easy-going style of the monarch, who abdicates Sunday in favour of his son Philippe, belies the power wielded by the sovereign in a country split by language, religion and history.

New Belgian king inherits political timebomb | Fox News

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