Belgium is set to have its first French-speaking prime minister in three decades after all parties finally agreed a blueprint for a ruling coalition.

 

After 535 days without a government Socialist Elio Di Rupo’s cabinet is expected to be lined up at the weekend, Euronews reported.

 

Details of the 185-page agreement are expected to be approved today.

 

Belgium’s world-record political deadlock had raised fears the country was headed for a split, separating wealthier Flanders from the French speaking south.

 

The June 2010 elections were won by Bart de Wever’s Flemish Nationalists but after blocking so many initiatives to form a coalition he was eventually excluded from the negotiating table.

 

His pro-independence N-VA will not now be part of the new government.

 

With Belgium facing its own debt crisis including a credit downgrade, politicians agreed a hasty austerity budget last weekend removing the last obstacle for a government deal.