Belgium finally swore in a Prime Minister and Cabinet yesterday after a record-breaking 541 days without a government but they face an uphill battle to tackle problems at the root of the deadlock.

“I swear fidelity to the king, obedience to the Constitution and to the laws of the Belgian people,” Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo said in the country’s three languages – French, Dutch and German – with his right hand raised.

The ceremony, led by King Albert II at his palace, ends one of Belgium’s bleakest moments – an 18-month marathon of political haggling in which the monarch worked to steer feuding politicians back to the negotiating table.

With Mr Di Rupo sporting his trademark red bow-tie, the 12 Cabinet ministers in what is already being called “the bow-tie” coalition – six from the Dutch-speaking north, six from the French-speaking south – then took the oath.

As divisions sharpen between the thriving north and more down-at-heels south, the country that plays host to global institutions such as the EU and Nato is struggling to remain united around a joint political and economic vision.

In much the same way prosperous Germany derides spendthrift Greece, the 6.5 million people of Flanders resent funding the 4.5 million of southern Wallonia.