kdawg
Staff member
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- Jun 25, 2003
On a more serious note, Guinness clarified the "functioning" distinction in late 2018. Ireland went way past 541 days without a formal government but Guinness rejected their claim to the record. It was denied on the basis that Ireland could still pass laws during that time, whereas we couldn't.
I remember there were ironic celebrations in various parts of the country when we passed the previous record holder, which was Iraq.
https://www.france24.com/en/2011021...ngest-period-without-government-iraq-election
Day of celebration and shame as Belgium’s deadlock breaks record
Belgium broke a world record Thursday - and beat Iraq in the process – for having gone the longest period of time without a formal government, at 249 days. The government of the country has been in deadlock since the June 13th elections last year.
AP - Many would see it as a humiliation, but for Belgium it's an excuse for a party: the country's citizens are marking 249 days without a government Thursday, a figure that they are treating as a world record.
Day to day the crisis pits the leaders of 6 million Dutch-speaking Flemings against those of 4.5 million French speakers, but people from across the country are putting aside their differences to celebrate the occasion.
I get what you mean - Northern Ireland has had similar issues for the last few years - just resolved this month. While they are part of the UK they also have a devolved government with certain powers but due to disagreements between the 2 largest parties they were suspended for 3 years.
Interestingly they actually got some stuff done - the civil servants just kept doing what they were doing and I heard from a few people that it was easier because they could just do sensible things and not have to discuss it with the politicians.