Belgium: a federal State
Belgium has been independent since 1830 and is a constitutional monarchy.
The main political parties in the country are the CDV (Dutch-speaking
Christian Democrats), the CDH (French-speaking humanist centrist Democrats), the
MR (French-speaking reformist-liberal movement), the VLD (Dutch-speaking
Liberals), the SPA (Dutch-speaking Socialists), the PS (French-speaking
Socialists), GROEN ! (Dutch-speaking environmentalists), ECOLO (French-speaking
environmentalists).
The fundamental elements of the Belgium electoral system are set by the
Constitution. Voting is by proportional representation based on universal
suffrage. Nationals of other countries (EU Member States and third countries)
may vote in municipal elections if they fulfil certain conditions. Non-European
residents have had the right to vote in municipal elections since 2006.
Belgium is a representative parliamentary democracy. Federal legislative
elections are held every four years, regional and European elections every five
years, and municipal and provincial elections every six years.
Belgium is also a federal state.
In recent years, the country has evolved into an efficient federal structure,
achieved via four State reforms (1970, 1980, 1988-89, 1993 and 2001). The first
article of the Belgian Constitution states: ‘Belgium is a Federal State made
up of Communities and Regions’.
The power to take decisions no longer resides exclusively with the Federal
Government and Federal Parliament. Leadership of the country is now in the hands
of various partners, who exercise their powers independently in their own areas.
The reorganisation of powers ran along two broad lines. The first concerns
language and, in a wider framework, everything to do with culture. This gave
rise to the Communities. The concept of ‘Community’ refers to the people who
make up such a Community and to the ties that unite these people, namely their
language and culture. Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French and
German. Today, therefore, Belgium has three Communities: the Flemish, French and
German-speaking Communities. These Communities thus correspond to the population
groups.
The second main line of the State reform concerns the need for greater
economic independence expressed by the regions. This has led to the creation of
three regions: the Flemish Region, the Brussels Capital Region and the Walloon
Region. To a certain extent the Belgian Regions are comparable to the American
States and the German Länder. The country is further divided into 10 provinces
and 589 municipalities.
Nevertheless, the Federal State still retains considerable power, among other
things in the field of foreign affairs, national defence, justice, finance,
social security, public health and internal affairs. The Regions and the
Communities have the right, however, to maintain relations with other countries
on matters within their competence.
It is not an easy matter to ensure the cohabitation of regional and cultural
identities. However, this does offer the advantage of bringing the
decision-making process closer to the people. The result is a more clearly
defined political structure with greater emphasis on quality of life.
The Belgian legal system comprises regional courts (justice of the peace and
police courts), district courts (court of first instance, trade tribunal, labour
tribunal, and district tribunal), appeal courts (courts of appeal and labour
matters), court of assizes and the court of cassation. In theory, access to the
judiciary is on a paying basis. However, legal advice or legal aid may be
available free of charge or by paying part of the costs. We advise you to
enquire at the legal advice bureaux at the courts, some municipal
administrations, not-for-profit bodies, etc.
For jobseekers, there are four public services providing help: ACTIRIS for
the Brussels region, LE FOREM for the Walloon region, VDAB for the
Dutch-speaking region and ADG for the German-speaking area of the country.
The ONEM is the public body responsible for providing unemployment benefits.
Text last edited on: 05/2009
Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2009
Reproduction is authorised.
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