41.   The scandal has plagued Belgium politics for several years, and has forced the resignation of four senior Socialist politicians, including two ministers.

42.   Local Socialist politicians have often been targeted by ETA, which has twice tried to assassinate a leading figure in the party since January.

43.   Local Socialist politicians have often been targeted by ETA, which has twice tried to assassinate a leading figure in the party since the beginning of the year.

44.   On Thursday, they were blamed for the assassination of Juan Priede Perez, a local Socialist politician in the town of Orio.

45.   Socialist politicians have expressed reserve over actively disobeying laws, but several leftist mayors say they will not apply the bill if it is made into law.