Simone Lawson
Belgium is a constitutional monarchy, with a parliamentary democracy. The country gained independence from the Netherlands in 1830, and in 1831, the National Congress established a constitutional monarchy with a monarch from the House of Saxe-Coburg Gotha in Germany. The Belgian monarchy is a hereditary constitutional monarchy, with the current King, Philippe, succeeding his father, Albert II, in 2013. Albert II had previously succeeded his brother, Baudouin, who died in 1993. The role of the Belgian monarch is defined by the Constitution, which outlines the country's legislative, executive, and judicial powers. While the King serves as the country's head of state and commander-in-chief of the Belgian Armed Forces, the Belgian Parliament passes laws, and the King requires the approval of a Minister to sign them. So, did Belgium have a constitutional monarchy when they fought against Napoleon?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year Belgium fought Napoleon | 1815 |
| Belgium's government type | Constitutional monarchy |
| Year Belgium became a constitutional monarchy | 1831 |
| Belgium's government type in modern times | Hereditary parliamentary constitutional monarchy |
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What You'll Learn
Belgium's monarchy is a constitutional, hereditary and parliamentary system
Belgium is a constitutional, hereditary, and parliamentary monarchy. The role of the King, as the country's head of state, is defined by the Constitution, which is the fundamental law of the Belgians. The King is the symbol of the country and its institutions, and he plays a ceremonial and unifying role, representing a common national Belgian identity. He is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Belgian Armed Forces.
The Belgian monarchy was established in 1831, after the country gained independence in 1830. The National Congress, which laid the foundations of the Belgian state, voted to establish a constitutional monarchy. The Congress nominated Louis, Duke of Nemours, the son of the French king Louis-Philippe, but he did not accept the role. Instead, they selected Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, beginning the Belgian dynasty.
As a hereditary monarchy, the role of King is passed down to a descendant of the first King of the Belgians, Leopold I. The current King, Philippe, ascended the throne in 2013 after the abdication of his father, Albert II. Albert II had previously succeeded his brother, King Baudouin, who died in 1993.
As a parliamentary monarchy, the Belgian Parliament passes laws, and the King signs them with the approval of a Minister. The Belgian Parliament consists of a Senate and a House of Representatives, with the legislative power assigned to the latter, along with the King's approval. The King's role is primarily symbolic, and he does not discuss politics in public or enter into debates with other public figures. However, he can influence ministers when speaking with them about bills, projects, and nominations.
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The King is the symbol and head of the Belgian state
Belgium is a "hereditary parliamentary constitutional monarchy". This means that the role of the King is defined by the Constitution, which is the fundamental law of the Belgians. The King is the symbol and head of the Belgian state, representing a common national Belgian identity. He is the country's head of state and commander-in-chief of the Belgian Armed Forces.
The King is the symbol of the unity and permanence of the nation and the moderator of political life, a very subtle and discreet role. The King's primary political function is to designate a political leader to attempt to form a new cabinet following an election, the resignation of a government, or a parliamentary vote of no confidence. The King is also responsible for signing laws, but always needs the approval of a Minister.
The Belgian monarchy was from the beginning a constitutional monarchy, established in 1831, with a monarch invited in from the House of Saxe-Coburg Gotha in Germany. The Belgian Constitution was a synthesis of various influences, including the French constitutions of 1791, 1814 and 1830, the Dutch constitution of 1814, and English constitutional law. The King is designated as "King of the Belgians" and not "of Belgium", and is bound by the Constitution above all other ideological and religious considerations, political opinions and debates, and economic interests.
The Belgian monarchy is not merely symbolic, as the King participates in directing the affairs of state, particularly when his will coincides with that of the ministers, who alone bear responsibility for the policy of government. The King can influence the ministers when he speaks with them about bills, projects, and nominations.
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The King's role is defined by the Constitution
Belgium is a "hereditary parliamentary constitutional monarchy". This means that the role of the King is defined by the Constitution, which is the fundamental law of the Belgians. The Belgian monarchy was established in 1831, after Belgium gained independence from the Netherlands in 1830. The National Congress, which laid the foundations of the Belgian state, voted to establish a monarchy in November 1830, and the Belgian Constitution was formally adopted in 1831.
The King of Belgium is the country's head of state and commander-in-chief of the Belgian Armed Forces. He is also the symbol of the country and its institutions, representing a common national Belgian identity. The King's role is primarily ceremonial and symbolic, and he is not directly involved in political debates or decision-making. However, the King does have some political functions, such as designating a political leader to form a new cabinet following an election, a government resignation, or a parliamentary vote of no confidence. The King also signs laws passed by the Belgian Parliament, but he needs the approval of a Minister to do so.
The Belgian Constitution guarantees certain rights and freedoms for all Belgians, including equality before the law, freedom of expression, freedom of religion, freedom of education, and freedom of the press. It also establishes the separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. The King is part of the executive branch, along with the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
The King's role as defined by the Constitution also includes some ceremonial and honorary duties. For example, the King can award distinctions or titles of nobility, such as "Knight", "Baron", "Viscount", or "Count". These titles are a special honour and do not confer any new rights on the recipient. The King also makes occasional speeches and grants audiences to Belgian and foreign personalities.
Overall, the King's role as defined by the Constitution is to act as a symbol of national unity and a moderator of political life, working in liaison with the other organs of power to direct the affairs of the state.
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Belgium gained independence from the Dutch in 1830
Belgium was invaded and annexed by Napoleonic France in 1795. Napoleon's army was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, and Belgium was separated from France. The Congress of Vienna then created a kingdom for the House of Orange-Nassau, combining the Southern and Northern Netherlands into a single state, "the United Kingdom of the Netherlands".
Despite being officially one country, the Southern and Northern Netherlands did not consider themselves one nation. The Belgians felt dominated by the Dutch, and the two regions had a significant linguistic North-South division. The Southern Netherlands (Francophone Wallonia) became an early industrial boom area and was politically dominant, while the Northern Netherlands (Dutch-speaking Flanders) remained agricultural and was economically and politically outdistanced.
In 1830, an uprising of the Belgian people resulted in Belgium gaining independence from the Dutch. A provisional government was formed in Brussels, and on 27 September, it declared independence and called for the election of a National Congress. On 20 December, the London Conference of 1830 brought together five major European powers: Austria, the United Kingdom, France, Prussia, and Russia. Initially, the European powers were divided over Belgium's cry for independence, but they eventually supported the continued union of the Netherlands due to fears of French annexation of an independent Belgium. However, none of the powers sent troops to aid the Dutch government.
On 4 November 1830, the National Congress voted to support a monarchy, and in February 1831, they nominated Louis, Duke of Nemours, the son of the French king Louis-Philippe. However, Louis-Philippe declined the honour for his son due to international considerations. Instead, Leopold I became King of the Belgians in 1831, establishing a constitutional monarchy. Belgium's independence was recognised by the European powers in 1839 with the signing of the Treaty of London.
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Belgium was invaded and annexed by Napoleonic France in 1795
Belgium did not exist as a country until 1830, when it gained independence from the Netherlands. Therefore, it did not have a constitutional monarchy when it was invaded and annexed by Napoleonic France in 1795.
Under French rule, aristocratic privileges were abolished, and the church was persecuted. Centralised administration was implemented, and military conscription was enforced, provoking a peasants' revolt in 1798–99. During this period, the position of the clergy was regulated by a concordat with the papacy.
In 1814, the Allies drove out Napoleon and ended French rule in Belgium. The country was then made part of the Netherlands by the Congress of Vienna in 1815. However, in 1830, an uprising of the Belgian people resulted in Belgium winning its independence from the Dutch. A constitutional monarchy was established in 1831, with the first King of Belgium, Leopold I, ascending the throne.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Belgium became a constitutional monarchy in 1831, after gaining independence from the Dutch in 1830. Napoleon was defeated in 1814 or 1815, so Belgium was not yet a constitutional monarchy when they fought Napoleon.
No, Belgium was annexed by France in 1795 and became part of Napoleonic France. It was not until the Belgian Revolution in 1830 that Belgium gained independence and became a constitutional monarchy.
Leopold I was the first King of Belgium, ascending the throne in 1831.
Belgium is currently a "hereditary parliamentary constitutional monarchy". The current King, Philippe, ascended the throne in 2013.
