Belgium headed for new government as PM set to resign after general election

The governing coalition of Alexander De Croo lost its ability to form a majority - while an expected surge for far right Vlaams Belang failed to materialise

Belgium is heading for a new government after a general election in which an expected surge for the far right party Vlaams Belang failed to materialise and the outgoing governing coalition headed by liberal prime minister Alexander De Croo lost its ability to form a majority.

Vlaams Belang's arch rival the nationalist party N-VA (New Flemish Alliance) was on course to remain the largest party in Belgium's parliament on Sunday while De Croo's liberal party, Open VLD, slumped in Flanders, the Dutch speaking part of the country.