ABSTRACT
After the parliamentary elections of 17 April 1977, the leaders of the two largest parties, Flemish CVP and Socialist PSB-BSP, declared that they wanted a new agreement on regional and community policy. CVP-prominent Leo Tindemans was instructed to form a new government. The first move in coalition building was made by PSB-president André Cools, who successfully prevented that the Liberals participated in the negotiations. The coalition agreement contained a part on socio-economic policy and the Egmont Pact on regionalization. This reflected the coalition formation agenda, dominated by conflicts in these two fields. In the Leburton coalition, Socialists and Christian Democrats disagreed on state intervention in industry and in the banking sector. During the first half year in office, socio-economic policy was elaborated and implemented in accordance with the coalition agreement, and without real political difficulties. The prime minister played different roles in the enforcement process. He guided the elaboration of coalition agreement in the field of socio-economic policy, with success.
