Shorts and sandals on TV for forgetful former PM

Former prime minister Jean-Luc Dehaene was interviewed in the studio by VTM News on Sunday wearing a particularly casual outfit consisting of a short-sleeved shirt, shorts and sandals. The reason for this is simple: he was at a barbecue when a reporter called him to remind him of the interview. Half an hour just before the start of the programme, political journalist Dirk Van den Bogaert became worried and sent a reminder to Dehaene, who arrived at the VTM studios straight from the barbecue just in time to discuss the abdication of King Albert II, the forthcoming reform of the Belgian institutions and next year’s general election.