Belgian Institutions
Belgium's political system is based on a federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, with King Albert II as head of state. The country finally attained its federal status in the year 1995.
Under its current political system, the government is divided into the federal government, the regional governments and the community councils.
The Federal State holds the most important powers, for example in the area of foreign affairs, national defence, justice, finance, social security, important parts of national health and domestic affairs.The power to make decisions is no longer the exclusive preserve of the federal government and the federal parliament. Therefore the leadership of the country is now in the hands of various partners, who independently exercise their authority within their domains.
Reconciling regional and cultural identities within a federal structure is not an easy task. Yet, it has the advantage of taking the decision process closer to the population. The result is a more sharply defined political structure with a greater emphasis on the quality of life.
The regions were historically inspired by economic interests. The establishment of the three regions was the result: the Flemish Region, the Brussels Capital Region and the Walloon Region. Up to a certain level they can be compared with the American states or the German 'Länder'.
The country is further divided into 10 provinces and 589 municipal councils.
The regions have powers relating to the economy, employment, agriculture, water policy, housing, public works, energy, transport (except Belgian Railways), the environment, town and country planning, nature conservation, credit, foreign trade, supervision of the provinces, communes and intercommunal utility companies.
The communities are based on the language. Belgium has three communities: the Flemish Community, the French Community and the German-speaking Community, corresponding with the population groups.
The Community has powers for culture (theatre, libraries, audiovisual media, etc.), education, the use of languages and matters relating to the individual which concern on the one hand health policy (curative and preventive medicine) and on the other hand assistance to individuals (protection of youth, social welfare, aid to families, immigrant assistance services, etc.)
To get a better understanding of the complicated Belgian political system, the Belgian Federal Government portal is a good place to start looking.
The following addresses and press contacts will come in handy if you wish to follow up on the Belgium political context
Federal Government
Rue de la Loi - Wetstraat 16, 1000 Brussels
Tel: +32 (0) 2 501 02 11
Fax: 02-512 69 53
Website: www.belgium.be
Federal Parliament of Belgium
Chamber of Representatives
Paleis der Natie
Rue de Louvain 13, B-1008 Brussels
Tel: +32 (0) 2 549 81 1
Fax: +32 (0) 2 549 84 35
Website: www.lachambre.be
Senate
Palais de la Nation/Paleis der Natie
Rue de la Loi - Wetstraat 8, B-1009 Brussels
Tel: +32 (0) 2 501 72 00
Fax: 02 501 77 34
Website: www.senate.be
Regions
Government of Wallonia (French-speaking)
Website: gov.wallonie.be
Walloon Parliament (Parlement Wallon)
Public sessions: Rue Notre-Dame 1, 5000 Namur
Administrative Services: Rue Saint Nicolas 24, 5000 Namur
Parliamentarians, political groups: Rue Notre-Dame 9, 5000 Namur
Website: parlement.wallonie.be
Government of Flanders (for the region and community) (Dutch-speaking)
Website: www.vlaanderen.be
Flemish Parliament (Vlaamse Parlement)
Postal address: Vlaams Parlement, 1011 Brussels
Visiting adress: Leuvenseweg 27, 1000 Brussels
Tel: +32 (0)2 552 1111
Fax: 02 552 11 22
Email: algemeen@vlaamsparlement.be
Website: www.vlaamsparlement.be
Government of Brussels region
Website: www.brussels.irisnet.be
Brussels Regional Parliament
(Le Parlement Bruxellois/Het Brussels Parlement)
Rue du Lombard 69, Brussels
Tel: +32 (0)2/549 62 11
Fax: 02 549 62 12
Email: Parlement@parlbru.irisnet.be
Website: www.parlbru.irisnet.be
Communities
Government of the French community
Place Surlet de Chokier 15-17, Espace 27 Septembre, Cité Administrative de l’Etat, Rue Royale 123 and Rue du Commerce 20-22 and 68, Brussels
Website: www.cfwb.be
Government of the Flemish community
Martelaarsplein 19, 1000 Brussels
Tel: +32 (0)2 552 60 00
Fax: 02 552 60 01
Website: www.flanders.be
Government of the German Community
(Regierung der Deutschsprachigen Gemeinschaft Belgiens)
Regierung der DG
Klötzerbahn 32, 4700 Eupen
Tel: 087 59 64 00
Fax: 087 74 02 58
Email: regierung@dgov.be
Website: www.dglive.be
