New Belgian king inherits political timebomb The easy-going style of Belgium's King Albert II, who abdicates Sunday in favour of his son Philippe, belies the power wielded by the sovereign in a country split by language, religion and history. The country heads next year for a high-risk May 25 general election that could see huge gains for the powerful Flemish separatist party, the N-VA and the new king will have to find strength to hold the country together. A natural sound version of an AFPTV report.