Governments / Countries / Belgium
How is Belgium governed?
Belgium is a constitutional monarchy. Its head of state is the king of the belgians and its head of government is the prime minister. Real power sits with the prime minister.
Questions people ask
- Is Belgium a monarchy or a republic?
- Belgium is a monarchy: a constitutional monarchy. King of the Belgians: Philippe.
- Who really rules Belgium?
- The prime minister holds the real executive power. Head of state: King of the Belgians. Head of government: Prime Minister.
- How is the head of state of Belgium chosen?
- Hereditary.
- Does Belgium have a king?
- It has a monarch: King of the Belgians Philippe, on the throne since 2013. Succession: hereditary.
- Is Belgium a federation?
- Yes, a federation: sovereignty is divided between the centre and states or provinces the centre cannot abolish.
- How many chambers does the parliament of Belgium have?
- Two chambers: Chamber of Representatives (150 seats) and Senate (60 seats).
- Has Belgium ever been a republic?
- Not in the period covered by this site.
Parliament: Chamber of Representatives + Senate
Belgium's legislature has two chambers, 210 seats in all. Each dot is one seat; party seat counts are on IPU Parline.
Regime history
One label per period, on Belgium's present-day identity.
18152026
| Years | Regime | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1815–1830 | Part of another state | United Kingdom of the Netherlands source |
| 1830–1914 | Constitutional monarchy | Kingdom of Belgium source |
| 1914–1918 | Foreign occupation | German occupation source |
| 1918–1940 | Constitutional monarchy | Kingdom of Belgium source |
| 1940–1944 | Foreign occupation | German occupation source |
| 1944–today | Constitutional monarchy | Kingdom of Belgium (federal state since 1993) source |