Last week, Philippe Muyters, budget and finance minister and former head of the Flemish chamber of commerce Voka, fell victim to this seemingly inescapable rule. During the weekend, he was dancing at the his party’s New Year reception, and by Monday, the opposition was asking for his resignation. And that was just the start of the week from hell for Philippe Muyters.

The opposition – in a rare show of unison – was incensed by a leaked mail from Muyters’ cabinet in which his spokesperson blamed said opposition for the belated introduction of the traffic tax reform. This, the opposition felt, showed the utmost disdain for the workings of the Flemish Parliament.

Muyters also left a bad impression when confronted with the fact that the federal government will scrap the traditional tax deduction on mortgages, as this is devolved to the regions. Although Muyters’ party, N-VA, has demanded this for years, the minister seemed rather unprepared for it.

Days later, a new email popped up by another Muyters’ aid. This mail claimed that the minister lied in Parliament about the 2009 budget. Although these words were accompanied by a "smiley face", and upon closer scrutiny turned out to be incorrect, the damage was done. Especially as the mail spoke derogatively about other Flemish departments.

Muyters apologised. Twice. In a TV interview he was reduced to tears, calling himself “a broken man”. “I have given up so much to do this,” he said, echoing many a business person who went before him.

So are they all doomed? Well, no. One man did make it to the other side successfully: Kris Peeters, Flemish minister-president, who headed another business organisation, Unizo, before he was appointed minister. Peeters, too, had some problems adjusting, but, when it comes to politics, he is like a fish in water now.

Still, he must get frustrated sometimes. If only looking at what trouble his ministers get themselves into. (smiley face)