The political framework of Belgium

Political Outline

Current Political Leaders

King: Philippe of Belgium (since 21 August 2013);
Prime Minister: Bart De Wever (since 3 February 2025)

Next Election Dates

House of Representatives: June 2029
Senate: July 2029

Main Political Parties

Historically, parties are divided between French and Flemish groups, fuelling intercommunal tensions. The main parties following the 2024 elections are:

- New-Flemish Alliance (N-VA): right-wing, pushes for Flemish independence from Belgium, Eurosceptic
- Flemish Interest (Vlaams Belang): right-wing populist, pushing for Flemish independence
- Reform Movement (MR): centre-right, francophone party
- Workers' Party of Belgium (PTB-PVDA): far-left (ideologies: communism, marxism, marxism-leninism, socialism)
- Socialist Party (PS): centre-left, largest francophone party
- Vooruit: social democratic, formerly known as the Flemish Socialist Party
- Christian, Democratic and Flemish Party (CD&V): centre-right
- Les Engagés (LE): centre, francophone party
- Open Flemish Liberal Democrats (Open VLD): centre-right, Flemish party
- Groen: green, Flemish party
- Ecolo: green, francophone party
- Démocrate fédéraliste indépendant (DéFI): social-liberal, francophone.

Executive Power

Chief of the state is the King, who plays a largely ceremonial and symbolic role. The King's primary political function is to designate a political leader (Prime Minister) to form a new government. Following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party (or the leader of the majority coalition) is usually appointed Prime Minister by the King and then approved by the parliament for a four-year term. The King, on recommendation of the Prime Minister, formally appoints the Council of Ministers. At the federal level, executive power is wielded by the Council of Ministers, with each minister heading a governmental department, with a maximum of 15 ministers. The Prime Minister chairs the Council.

Legislative Power

The Belgian Parliament is bicameral and consists of the Senate and the Chamber of Representatives. The Chamber has 150 directly elected members by proportional representation vote. The Senate has 60 members; 50 members indirectly elected by the community and regional parliaments based on their election results, and 10 elected by the 50 other senators. All the members of the Parliament serve 5-year terms.