Belgian monarchy
The Belgian monarchy was established in 1830 when a hereditary constitutional monarchy was established after Belgium split off from the Netherlands . King has been Philippe since July 21, 2013 .
origin
The United Kingdom of the Netherlands had existed since 1815 . The south broke away from this in 1830, for which there were political, confessional and linguistic reasons. Belgium , after an old Roman province , was chosen as the name for the new state .
Head of state was to be first a Belgian regent, then another Belgian, but both refused to take the throne. Then Leopold von Sachsen-Coburg-Saalfeld was elected , from the Central German dynasty that was considered liberal and had married into many European royal houses. Leopold I took the oath on July 21, 1831.
Designation and oath
The correct name for the king is not “King of Belgium”, but “King of the Belgians”. This emphasizes that the king's power base is not a territory but the people. Even King Louis-Philippe was declared in 1830 to the "King of the French" and not traditional usual "King of France", just like the Greek monarch wore as the title of "King of the Hellenes". The king therefore does not speak of subjects, but of compatriots.
In 1920 King Albert I decided to abolish the German family name. Since then the name is de Belgique , van België or from Belgium .
Belgium is the only European monarchy in which the exclamation “The king is dead, long live the king!” Does not apply. According to the Belgian constitution, a king cannot ascend the throne until he has taken the oath on the constitution. King Albert II, for example, did not ascend the throne on the anniversary of his brother's death, July 31, 1993, but only on August 9, 1993. In all other monarchies of today, the rulers are enthroned immediately upon the death of their predecessor. However, they may only be able to exercise their monarchical rights after taking an oath.
languages
Belgium has three official languages, of which Dutch and French are the most important. That is why many kings and members of the royal family are known by two names. For example, the current king is called Philippe in French and Filip in Dutch , the fifth king was called Baudouin in French and Boudewijn in Dutch. In the third official Belgian language, German , the French names are mostly used ( Baudouin , Philippe , etc.), but sometimes the German ones ( Balduin , Philipp , etc.) are also used.
The royal family itself speaks mostly French, which is received negatively in the Flanders region. However, on official occasions, the king or another family member takes care to use both languages alternately.
Tasks and neutrality
The king is at the head of the state and all three powers must answer to him. Justice is pronounced in his name. He appoints ministers and signs laws. However, the latter must be countersigned by the relevant minister. The real task of the king in the system of government is to appoint an informator or formulator to form a government. The King also receives the Prime Minister for a meeting once a week.
There is both an active and a passive ban on voting for the king and queen. Furthermore, members of the royal family cannot be ministers. The king is not even allowed to enter into contracts as a private person. He is inviolable and cannot be arrested or charged.