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Electoral Systems

Belgium Belgium

ES001

Head of State
Question:How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s): g. Inherited monarchy
Comments: The King or the Queen's constitutional powers are hereditary. In case of lack of descendant to the King/Queen, he/she may name his/her successor, with the approval of the Houses. In the absence of a nomination, the throne shall be vacant.
Source: The Belgian Constitution, Article 85 http://www.dekamer.be/kvvcr/pdf_sections/publications/constitution/GrondwetUK.pdf The Belgian Constitution, Article 86 http://www.dekamer.be/kvvcr/pdf_sections/publications/constitution/GrondwetUK.pdf
Verified: 2019/04/25
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
ES002

Head of Government
Question:How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer: c. Indirectly elected by legislature/chosen by parliament
Comments: The Chamber of Representatives, by an absolute majority, proposes to the Monarch the nomination of a Prime Minister. The Monarch appoints the proposed Prime Minister.
Source: The Belgian Constitution, Article 46 http://www.dekamer.be/kvvcr/pdf_sections/publications/constitution/GrondwetUK.pdf The Belgian Constitution, Article 96 http://www.dekamer.be/kvvcr/pdf_sections/publications/constitution/GrondwetUK.pdf
Verified: 2019/04/25
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
ES003

President
Question:Does the country have a president?
Answer: b. No
Comments: Article 85 The constitutional powers of the King are hereditary through the direct, natural and legitimate descent from H.M. Leopold, George, Christian, Frederick of Saxe-Coburg, by order of primogeniture. The descendant mentioned in the first paragraph who marries without the King’s consent or, in his absence, without the consent of those exercising the King’s powers in cases provided for by the Constitution shall be deprived of his right to the crown. Nonetheless, this right may be restored by the King or, in his absence, by those exercising the powers of the King in cases provided for by the Constitution, but only with the assent of both Houses. Article 96 The King appoints and dismisses his ministers. The Federal Government offers its resignation to the King if the House of Representatives, by an absolute majority of its members, adopts a motion of no-confidence proposing a successor to the prime minister for appointment by the King or proposes a successor to the prime minister for appointment by the King within three days of the rejection of a motion of confidence. The King appoints the proposed successor as prime minister, who takes office when the new Federal Government is sworn in.
Source: The Belgian Constitution, Article 85 http://www.dekamer.be/kvvcr/pdf_sections/publications/constitution/GrondwetUK.pdf The Belgian Constitution, Article 96 http://www.dekamer.be/kvvcr/pdf_sections/publications/constitution/GrondwetUK.pdf
Verified: 2019/04/25
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
ES004

Number of Chambers
Question:The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer: b. Two chambers
Comments: b) The Parliament (Chamber 1) and the Senate (Chamber 2)
Source: The Belgian Constitution, Article 42 http://www.dekamer.be/kvvcr/pdf_sections/publications/constitution/GrondwetUK.pdf
Verified: 2019/04/25
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
ES005

Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question:What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s): g. List Proportional Representation
Comments: Seats are allocated on three different levels: candidates, lists and group lists.
Source: The Belgian Constitution, Article 62 http://www.dekamer.be/kvvcr/pdf_sections/publications/constitution/GrondwetUK.pdf The Belgian Constitution, Article 63 http://www.dekamer.be/kvvcr/pdf_sections/publications/constitution/GrondwetUK.pdf Electoral Code, Art. 165 bis, 169, 170, 171 http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BE/belgium-electoral-code-2014/view
Verified: 2019/04/25
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
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