Belgian politicians moved closer to ending their country's prolonged political paralysis Saturday by agreeing budget cuts in 2012, according to dpa. The deal, which came just hours after credit rating agency Standard & Poors downgraded the country's sovereign debt, was expected to pave the way for the formation of a new government. "The king has now asked the lead negotiator to form a new government as soon as possible," the palace said in a statement. Premier-designate Elio di Rupo had led Saturday's six-party talks after threatening to resign. The political crisis has left Belgium with a caretaker government for 17 months, a world record. The slimmed-down 2012 budget calls for a 10 per cent - or 11.3-billion-euro (15-billion-dollars) - reduction in spending.
