{ Adopted in: 1970 }
{ ICL Document Status: 17 Feb 1994 }

 

Title I  Federation, Components, Territory

 
Article 1  [Federal State]
Belgium is a Federal State made up of Communities and Regions.
 
Article 2  [Communities]
Belgium is made up of three Communities: the French Community, the Flemish Community, and the German-speaking Community.
 
Article 3  [Regions]
Belgium is made up of three Regions: the Walloon Region, the Flemish Region, and the Brussels Region.
 
Article 4  [Linguistic Regions]
(1) Belgium has four linguistic regions: the French-speaking Region, the Dutch-speaking Region, the bilingual Region of Brussels-Capital, and the German-speaking Region.
(2) Each commune of the Kingdom is part of one of these linguistic regions.
(3) The limits of the four linguistic regions can only be changed or modified by a law adopted by majority vote in each linguistic group in each House, on the condition that the majority of the members of each group are gathered together and from the moment that the total of affirmative votes given by the two linguistic groups is equal to at least two thirds of the votes expressed.
 
Article 5  [Provinces]
(1) The Walloon Region is made up of the following provinces: Walloon Brabant, Hainaut, Liege, Luxemburg, and Namur.  The Flemish Region is made up of the following provinces: Antwerp, Flemish Brabant, West Flanders, East Flanders, and Limburg.
(2) By law, the territory can be divided into a greater number of provinces, if necessary.
(3) A law can shield certain territories whose limits it fixes, from division into provinces, make them depend directly on the federal executive power, and make them subject to a statute of their own.  This law must be adopted by majority vote as provided for in Article 4, last paragraph.
 
Article 6  [Provincial Sub-Divisions]
The provincial sub-divisions can only be established by law.
 
Article 7  [Delimitation]
The delimitation of the State, the provinces, and the communes can only be changed or modified by law.
 

Title II  Belgians and Their Rights

 
Article 8  [Citizenship]
(1) The title of Belgian is acquired, preserved, and lost according to rules determined by civil law.
(2) The Constitution and the other laws relative to political rights, determine which are, apart from this title, the necessary conditions for the exercise of these rights.
 
Article 9  [Naturalization]
Naturalization is accorded by the federal legislative power.
 
Article 10  [Equality]
(1) There are no class distinctions in the State.
(2) Belgians are equal before the law; they are the only ones eligible for civil and military service, but for the exceptions that could be made by law for special cases.
 
Article 11  [Non-Discrimination, Minorities]
Enjoyment of the rights and freedoms recognized for Belgians should be ensured without discrimination.  To this end, laws and decrees guarantee notably the rights and freedoms of ideological and philosophical minorities.
 
Article 12  [Personal Liberty]
(1) Individual freedom is guaranteed.
(2) No one can be prosecuted except in the cases provided for by law, and in the form prescribed by law.
(3) Except in the case of flagrante delicto, no one can be arrested except by a justifiable judge's order, that must be served at the moment of arrest, or at the latest within twenty-four hours.
 
Article 13  [Lawful Judge]
No one can be separated, unwillingly, from the judge that the law has assigned to him.
 
Article 14  [Legal Punishment]
No punishment can be made or given except in pursuance of the law.
 
Article 15  [Home]
The domicile is inviolable; no visit to the individual's residence can take place except in the cases provided for by law and in the form prescribed by law.
 
Article 16  [Property]
No one can be deprived of his property except in the case of expropriation for a public purpose, in the cases and manner established by law, and in return for a fair compensation paid beforehand.
 
Article 17  [No Confiscation]
Punishment by confiscation of assets cannot be made.
 
Article 18  [Capital Punishment]
The death penalty is abolished; it cannot be brought back into force.
 
Article 19  [Freedom of Expression]
Freedom of worship, public practice of the latter, as well as freedom to demonstrate one's opinions on all matters, are guaranteed, except for the repression of offenses committed when using this freedom.
 
Article 20  [No Forced Religion]
No one can be obliged to contribute in any way whatsoever to the acts and ceremonies of a religion, nor to observe the days of rest.
 
Article 21  [Church Competencies, Civil Wedding]
(1) The State does not have the right to intervene either in the nomination or in the installation of ministers of any religion whatsoever, nor to forbid these ministers from corresponding with their superiors, from publishing their acts, except, in the latter case, taking into consideration normal responsibilities in matters of press and publication.
(2) A civil wedding should always precede nuptial benediction except in cases established by law, should this be necessary.
 
Article 22  [Privacy]
(1) Everyone has the right to the respect of his private and family life, except in the cases and conditions determined by law.
(2) The laws, decrees, and rulings alluded to in Article 134 guarantee the protection of this right.
 
Article 23  [Dignity]
(1) Everyone has the right to lead a life in conformity with human dignity.
(2) To this end, the laws, decrees, and rulings alluded to in Article 134 guarantee, taking into account corresponding obligations, economic, social, and cultural rights, and determine the conditions for exercising them.
(3) These rights include notably:
1) the right to employment and to the free choice of a professional activity in the framework of a general employment policy, aimed among others at ensuring a level of employment that is as stable and high as possible, the right to fair terms of employment and to fair remuneration, as well as the right to information, consultation and collective negotiation;
2) the right to social security, to health care and to social, medical, and legal aid;
3) the right to have decent accommodation;
4) the right to enjoy the protection of a healthy environment:
5) the right to enjoy cultural and social fulfillment.
 
Article 24  [Education]
(1.1) Education is free; any preventative measure is forbidden; the repression of offenses is only governed law or decree.
(1.2) The Community offers free choice to parents.
(1.3) The Community organizes neutral education.  Neutrality implies notably the respect of the philosophical, ideological, or religious conceptions of parents and pupils.
(1.4) The schools organized by the public authorities offer, until the end of mandatory schooling, the choice between the teaching of one of the recognized religions and non-denominational moral teaching.
(2) If a Community, in its capacity as an organizing authority, wishes to delegate competency to one or several autonomous bodies, it can only do so by decree adopted by a two-third majority vote.
(3.1) Everyone has the right to education with the respect of fundamental rights and freedoms.  Access to education is free until the end of mandatory schooling.
(3.2) All pupils of school age have the right to moral or religious education at the Community's expense.
(4) All pupils or students, parents, teaching staff, or institutions are equal before the law or decree.  The law and decree take into account objective differences, notably the characteristics of each organizing authority, that justify appropriate treatment.
(5) The organization, the recognition and the subsidizing of education by the Community are regulated by law or decree.
 
Article 25  [Press]
(1) The press is free; censorship can never be established; security from authors, publishers, or printers cannot be demanded.
(2) When the author is known and resident in Belgium, neither the publisher, nor the printer, nor the distributor can be prosecuted.
 
Article 26  [Assembly]
(1) Belgians have the right to gather peaceably and without arms, in conformity with the laws that regulate the exercise of this right, without submitting it to prior authorization.
(2) This provision does not apply to open air meetings, which are entirely subject to police regulations.
 
Article 27  [Association]
Belgians have the right to enter into association or partnership; this right cannot be liable to any preventative measures.
 
Article 28  [Petition]
(1) Everyone has the right to address petitions signed by one or more persons to the public authorities.
(2) Constituted bodies are alone able to address petitions in a collective name.
 
Article 29  [Secrecy of Letters]
(1) The confidentiality of letters is inviolable.
(2) The law determines which nominated representatives can violate the confidentiality of letters entrusted to the postal service.
 
Article 30  [Choice of Language]
The use of languages current in Belgium is optional; only the law can rule on this matter, and only for acts of the public authorities and for legal matters.
 
Article 31  [Liability of Civil Servants]
No prior authorization is necessary to take legal action against civil servants because of their public office, except with regard to what has been ruled on concerning ministers and members of the Community and Regional governments.
 
Article 32  [Information]
Everyone has the right to consult any administrative document and to have a copy made, except in the cases and conditions stipulated by the laws, decrees, or rulings referred to in Article 134.
 

Title III  Powers

 

[Chapter 0  General Provisions]

 
Article 33  [Sovereignty, Rule of Law]
(1) All power emanates from the Nation.
(2) The power is exerted in the manner established by the Constitution.
 
Article 34  [Transfer of Sovereignty]
The exercising of determined power can be attributed by a treaty or by a law to international public institutions.
 
Article 35  [Authorities]
(1) The federal authority only has power in the matters that are formally attributed to it by the Constitution and the laws carried in pursuance of the Constitution itself.
(2) The Communities and the Regions, each in its own field of concern, have power for the other matters, under the conditions and in the terms stipulated by law.  This law must be adopted by majority vote as provided for in Article 4, last paragraph.
(3) The law referred to in Paragraph (2) determines the date on which this Article comes into force.  This date cannot precede the date of the implementation of the new Article to be inserted in Title III, which determines the exclusive powers of the federal authority.
 
Article 36  [Legislative Power]
The federal legislative power is exerted collectively by the King, the House of Representatives, and the Senate.
 
Article 37  [Executive Power]
The federal executive power, as stipulated by the Constitution, belongs to the King.
 
Article 38  [Local Autonomy]
Each Community has assignments which are recognized by the Constitution or by the laws carried in pursuance of it.
 
Article 39  [Regional Autonomy]
The law attributes to the Regional Bodies that it creates and that are made up of elected representatives, the power to manage the matters that it determines, with the exception of those referred to in Articles 30 and 127 to 129, within the jurisdiction and according to the manner established by the law.  The latter must be adopted by majority vote as provided for in Article 4, last paragraph.
 
Article 40  [Adjudicating Power]
(1) Judiciary power is exerted by the courts and tribunals.
(2) Rulings and court decisions are carried out in the name of the King.
 
Article 41  [Decentralization, Adjournment]
Interests which are exclusively of a communal or provincial nature are ruled on by communal or provincial councils, according to the principles established by the Constitution.  The King can adjourn the Houses.  However, the adjournment cannot exceed the period of one month, nor be renewed in the same session without the consent of the Houses.
 

Chapter I  The Federal Houses

 

[Section 0  General Provisions]

 
Article 42  [Representation]
The members of the two Houses represent the Nation, and not only those who elected them.
 
Article 43  [Linguistic Groups]
(1) For cases determined by the Constitution, the elected members of each House are divided into a French linguistic group and a Dutch linguistic group, in the manner determined by law.
(2) The senators referred to in Article 67 (1)(2,4,7) make up the French linguistic group of the Senate.  The senators referred to in Article 67 (1)(1,3,6), make up the Dutch linguistic group of the Senate.
 
Article 44  [Sessions]
(1) The Houses meet by right each year on the second Tuesday of October, unless they have been called together prior to this by the King.
(2) The Houses must meet each year for at least forty days.
(3) The King pronounces the closing of the session.
(4) The King has the right to convoke the Houses to an extraordinary meeting.
 
Article 45  [Adjournment]
The King can adjourn the Houses.  However, the adjournment cannot exceed the period of one month, nor be renewed in the same session without the consent of the Houses.
 
Article 46  [Reasons for Dissolution]
(1) The King has only the right to dissolve the House of Representatives if the latter, with the absolute majority of its members:
1) either rejects a motion of confidence in the federal Government and does not propose to the King, within three days from the day of the rejection of the motion, the nomination of a successor to the Prime Minister;
2) or adopts a motion of disapproval with regard to the federal Government and does not simultaneously propose to the King the nomination of a successor to the Prime Minister.
(2) The motions of confidence and disapproval can only be voted on after a delay of forty-eight hours after the introduction of the motion.
(3) Moreover, the King may, in the event of the resignation of the federal Government, dissolve the House of Representatives after having received its agreement expressed by the absolute majority of its members.
(4) The dissolution of the House of Representatives entails the dissolution of the Senate.
(5) The act of dissolution involves the convoking of the electorate within forty days and of the Houses within two months.
 
Article 47  [Publicity]
(1) The sessions of the Houses are public.
(2) Nevertheless, each House can meet in a secret committee, at the request of its president or of ten members.
(3) It can decide afterwards, by absolute majority, if a session on the same subject has to be held again in public.
 
Article 48  [Self-Organization]
Each House controls the powers of its members and judges any dispute that can be raised on this matter.
 
Article 49  [Horizontal Incompatibility]
It is not possible to be a member of both Houses at the same time.
 
Article 50  [Ministerial Incompatibility]
Any member of one of the two Houses, appointed by the King as a minister and who accepts this nomination, ceases to sit in the House and takes up his mandate again when the King has put an end to his functions as a minister.  The law provides for the terms of his replacement in the House concerned.
 
Article 51  [Governmental Incompatibility]
Any member of either of the two Houses, appointed by the federal Government to any salaried function other than that of minister and who accepts the appointment, immediately ceases to sit in the House and only takes his functions up again by virtue of a new election.
 
Article 52  [President]
At each session, each of the Houses appoints its president, its vice-presidents, and forms its committee.
 
Article 53  [Majority, Quorum]
(1) Any resolution is made by absolute majority of votes, except with regard to what is established by the regulations of the Houses with regard to elections and presentations.
(2) If the votes are divided, the proposal submitted for discussion is rejected.
(3) Neither of the two Houses can take a resolution until the majority of its members are in session.
 
Article 54  [Group Veto, Alarm-Bell Procedure]
(1) With the exception of budgets and laws requiring a special majority, a justified motion, signed by at least three-quarters of the members of one of the linguistic groups and introduced following the introduction of the report and prior to the finalvote in a public session, can declare that the provisions of a draft bill or of a motion are of a nature to gravely damage relations between the Communities.
(2) In this case, the parliamentary procedure is suspended and the motion referred to the Council of Ministers which, within thirty days, gives its justified recommendations on the motion and invites the implicated House to express its opinion on these recommendations or on the draft bill or motion that has been revised if need be.
(3) This procedure can only be applied once by the members of a linguistic group with regard to the same bill or motion.
 
Article 55  [Voting, Ballot]
Votes are given by rising or remaining seated or by call-over; most of the laws are voted by call-over.  The election and presentation of candidates are carried out by secret ballot.
 
Article 56  [Enquiries]
Each House has the right to hold an enquiry.
 
Article 57  [Petitions]
It is forbidden to present petitions to the Houses in person.  Each House has the right to send back to the ministers the petitions that are addressed to it.  The ministers are obliged to give explanations about their content, each time that the House so requires.
 
Article 58  [Indemnity]
No member of either of the two Houses can be prosecuted or pursued with regard to opinions and votes given by him in the exercise of his duties.
 
Article 59  [Immunity]
(1) No member of either of the two Houses can, during the duration of a session, be arrested or prosecuted for repression, except with the authorization of the House of which he is a member, except in cases of flagrante delicto.
(2) No imprisonment for debt can be undertaken against a member of either of the two Houses during a session, except with the same authorization.
(3) The detention of or a lawsuit against a member of either of the two Houses is suspended during a session and for its entire duration, if the House so requires.
 
Article 60  [Regulations]
Each House determines, by its regulations, the way in which it exercises its duties.
 

Section I  The House of Representatives

 
Article 61  [Direct Elections, Electoral Rights]
(1) The members of the House of Representatives are elected directly by citizens who have completed the age of eighteen and who do not fall within the categories of exclusion stipulated by law.
(2) Each elector has the right to only one vote.
 
Article 62  [Constituencies]
(1) The establishing of the constituencies or electoral colleges is  governed by law.
(2) Elections are carried out by the system of proportional representation that the law determines.
(3) The ballot is obligatory and secret.  It takes place at the commune, except in the cases determined by law.
 
Article 63  [Seats]
(1) The House of Representatives is made up of one hundred and fifty members.
(2.1) Each electoral circumscription has as many seats as the number of the members of its population contains a multiple of the federal divisor, obtained by dividing the number of the population of the Kingdom by one hundred and fifty.
(2.2) The remaining seats are attributed to the electoral circumscriptions which have the greatest surplus of population not yet represented.
(3.1) The sharing of the members of the House of Representatives among the electoral circumscriptions is allocated to the population by the King.
(3.2) The size of the population of each electoral circumscription is determined every ten years by a census or by any other means defined by law.  The King publishes the results within a period of six months.
(3.3) During the three months of this publication, the King determines the number of seats attributed to each electoral circumscription.
(3.4) The new distribution is applied as of the following general election.
(4) The law determines the electoral circumscriptions; it also determines the conditions required to be an elector as well as those for the carrying out of electoral operations.
 
Article 64  [Eligibility]
(1) To be eligible, one must:
1) be Belgian;
2) enjoy civil and political rights;
3) have completed the age of twenty-one;
4) be legally resident in Belgium.
(2) No other condition of eligibility can be required.
 
Article 65  [Term]
(1) The members of the House of Representatives are elected for four years.
(2) The House is renewed every four years.
 
Article 66  [Remuneration]
(1) Each member of the House of Representatives benefits from an annual indemnity of twelve thousand francs.
(2) He also has the right to free travel on all the means of communication operated or contracted out by the State.
(3) The law determines the means of transport that the representatives can use free of charge apart from those mentioned above.
(4) An annual indemnity to be deducted from the allocation destined to cover the expenditure of the House of Representatives can be attributed to the President of this assembly.
(5) The House determines the amount of the deductions that can be applied to the indemnity by way of a contribution to the pension funds that it judges necessary to establish.
 

Section II  The Senate

 
Article 67  [Seats]
(1) Without prejudice to Article 72, the Senate is made up of seventy-one senators, of whom:
1) twenty-five senators elected in conformity with Article 61, by the Dutch electoral college;
2) fifteen senators elected in conformity with Article 61, by the French electoral college;
3) ten senators appointed by and within the Council of the Flemish Community, named the Flemish Council;
4) ten senators appointed by and within the Council of theFrench Community;
5) one senator appointed by and within the Council of the German-speaking Community;
6) six senators appointed by the senators referred to in 1) and 3);
7) four senators appointed by the senators referred to in 2) and 4).
(2.1) At least one of the senators referred to in Paragraph (1)(1,3,6) is to be legally resident, on the day of his election, in the bilingual Region of Brussels-Capital.
(2.2) At least six of the senators referred to in Paragraph (1)(2,4,7) are to be legally resident, on the day of their election, in the bilingual Region of Brussels-Capital.  If four or fewer of the senators referred to in Paragraph (1)(2) are not legally resident, on the day of their election, in the bilingual Region of Brussels-Capital, at least two of the senators referred to in Paragraph (1)(4) must be legally resident, on the day of their election, in the bilingual Region of Brussels-Capital.
 
Article 68  [Group Balance]
(1.1) The total number of senators referred to in Article 67 (1)(1,2,3,4,6,7) is shared within each linguistic group on the basis of the electoral figure of the lists obtained at the moment of the election of the senators referred to in Article 67 (1)(1,2) according to the system of proportional representation that is determined by law.
(1.2) For the designation of the senators referred to in Article 67 (1)(3,4), only the lists can be taken into consideration on which at least one senator referred to in Article 67 (1)(1,2) is elected and from the moment that a sufficient number of members elected on this list sit, according to the case, on the Council of the Flemish Community or the Council of the French Community.
(1.3) For the designation of the senators referred to in Article 67 (1)(6,7) only the lists can be taken into consideration on which at least one senator referred to in Article 67 (1)(1,2) is elected.
(2) For the election of the senators referred to in Article 67 (1)(1,2), the ballot is obligatory and secret.  Voting takes place at the commune, except for cases determined by law.
(3.1) For the election of senators referred to in Article 67 (1)(1,2), the law determines the electoral circumscriptions and the composition of the electoral colleges; it also determines the conditions which must be met in order to be an elector, as well as those for the carrying out of electoral operations.
(3.2) The law determines the designation of the senators referred to in Article 67 (1)(3,5) with the exception of the terms stipulated by a law adopted by the majority provided for in Article 4, last paragraph, which are determined by decree by the Community Councils, each one for matters of its concern.  This decree must be adopted by a two-third majority of the votes expressed, on condition that the majority of the members of the Council concerned are present.
(3.3) The senator referred to in Article 67 (1)(5) is appointed by the Council of the German-speaking Community with absolute majority of the votes expressed.
(3.4) The law determines the appointment of the senators referred to in Article 67 (1)(6,7).
 
Article 69  [Eligibility]
In order to be elected or appointed as a senator one must:
1) be Belgian;
2) enjoy civil and political rights;
3) have completed the age of twenty-one;
4) be legally resident in Belgium.
 
Article 70  [Term]
(1) The senators referred to in Article 67 (1)(1,2) are elected for four years.  The senators referred to in Article 67 (1)(6,7) are appointed for four years.  The Senate is entirely renewed every four years.
(2) The election of the senators referred to in Article 67 (1)(1,2) coincides with the election for the House of Representatives.
 
Article 71  [Compensation]
(1) Senators do not receive a salary.
(2) They do, however, have the right to be compensated for any disbursement; this compensation is fixed at four thousand francs per year.
(3) They also have the right to free travel on all the means of communication operated or contracted out by the State.
(4) The law determines the means of transport that they can use free of charge apart from those mentioned above.
 
Article 72  [King's Descendants]
The King's children or, in the absence of children, the Belgian descendants of the branch of the royal family called on to reign, are senators by right at the age of eighteen.  They are only entitled to a seat and vote at the age of twenty-one.  They are not taken into account for the determination of the quorum of attendance.
 
Article 73  [Sessions]
Any assembly of the Senate that takes place outside the time of the session of the House of Representatives, is automatically void.
 

Chapter II  Federal Legislation

 
Article 74  [Competencies]
Notwithstanding Article 36, federal legislative power is jointly exercised by the King and by the House of Representatives for:
1) the granting of naturalization;
2) laws relative to the civil and penal responsibilities of the King's ministers;
3) State budgets and accounts, without prejudice to Article 174 (1), second sentence;
4) the establishment of the army quotas.
 
Article 75  [Initiative]
(1) Each branch of the federal legislative power has the right of initiative.
(2) Except for those matters described in Article 77, draft bills submitted to the Houses at the King's initiative are brought to the House of Representatives, then forwarded to the Senate.
(3) Draft bills relating to the approval of treaties submitted to the Houses on the King's initiative, are introduced to the Senate and afterwards transmitted to the House of Representatives.
 
Article 76  [Drafts]
(1) A draft bill may be adopted by a House only after having been voted on article by article.
(2) The Houses have the right to amend and to sub-divide those
articles and amendments proposed.
 
Article 77  [Competencies of Both Houses]
(1) The House of Representatives and the Senate are equally
competent with respect to:
1) the declaration of constitutional revision and forconstitutional revision;
2) matters requiring settlement by both legislative Houses by virtue of the Constitution;
3) laws described in Articles 5, 39, 43, 50, 68, 71, 77, 82, 115, 117, 118, 121, 123, 127 to 131,135 to 137, 140 to 143, 145, 146, 163, 165, 166, 167 (1.3), (4), and (5), 169, 170 (2.2), (3.2), (3.3), and (4.2), and 175 to 177, in addition to those laws executed on the basis of the above-mentioned laws and articles;
4) laws to be adopted by majority vote as described in Article 4, last paragraph, in addition to those laws executed on the basis of the latter;
5) laws described in Article 34;
6) laws relating to the approval of treaties;
7) laws adopted in keeping with Article 169, to ensure respect of international or supranational commitments;
8) laws relating to the Council of State;
9) the organization of courts and tribunals;
10) laws approving co-operation agreements between State, Communities, and Regions.
(2) A law adopted by majority vote as described in Article 4, last paragraph, may designate other laws for which the House of Representatives and the Senate are competent on an equal basis.
 
Article 78  [Draft Bills of the House of Representatives]
(1) Regarding matters other than those described in Articles 74 and 77, draft bills adopted by the House of Representatives are then forwarded to the Senate.
(2) At the request of fifteen Senate members at least, the Senate examines the draft bills.  This request is made within fifteen days after receiving the draft bill.
(3) The Senate may, within a time period not exceeding sixty days:
- decide against amendment of the draft bill;
- adopt the bill following amendment.

(4) Should the Senate fail to act within the established time frame, or should it have informed the House of Representatives of its decision not to amend the bill, the latter is forwarded to the King by the House of Representatives.
(5) If the bill has been amended, the Senate forwards it to the House of Representatives, which then makes a final decision: the draft bill is either adopted, or those amendments established by the Senate are either partially or entirely rejected.
 
Article 79  [New Amendment]
(1) Should, during the course of an examination as described in Article 78, last paragraph, the House of Representatives adopt a new amendment, the draft bill is returned to the Senate, which expresses its opinion on the amended bill.  The Senate may, within a time period not exceeding fifteen days,
- decide to accept the bill as amended by the House of Representatives;
- adopt the draft bill following further amendment.

(2) Should the Senate fail to act within the established time frame, or should it inform the House of Represenatatives of its decision to support the draft bill as voted by the House of Representatives, the latter then forwards the bill to the King.
(3) Should the bill once again be amended, the Senate forwards it to the House of Representatives which then makes a final decision by either adopting or by amending the draft bill.
 
Article 80  [Urgent Bills]
(1) Should, during the presentation of a draft bill as described in Article 78, the federal Government indicate urgency, theparliamentary consultation committee described in Article 82 must determine the time frame within which the Senate must make its decision.
(2) Should the commission fail to reach agreement, the time frame granted to the Senate becomes seven days, while the examination period described in Article 78 (3) becomes thirty days.
 
Article 81  [Draft Bills of the Senate]
(1) Should the Senate, by virtue of its right of initiative, adopt a draft bill in the areas described in Article 78, the draft bill is then forwarded to the House of Representatives.
(2) Within a time period not exceeding sixty days, the House must give its final decision, either by rejecting or by adopting the draft bill.
(3) Should the House amend the draft bill, the latter is then returned to the Senate, which must debate the amendments in accordance with the rules in Article 79.
(4) In the event of application of Article 79 (3), the House statutes in a final manner within fifteen days.
(5) Should the House fail to reach agreement within the time frames established in Paragraphs (2) and (4), the parliamentary consultation commission described in Article 82 must meet within fifteen days and establish a time limit within which the House must make a decision.
(6) Should the commission fail to reach agreement, the House must make a decision within sixty days.
 
Article 82  [Consultation Commission]
(1) A parliamentary consultation commission composed on an equal basis of members of the House of Representatives and of the Senate settles competency conflicts which may arise between the two Houses and may, with mutual agreement, extend the study periods described in Articles 78 to 81 at all times.
(2) Lacking majority representation by either of the two groups composing the commission, the latter must statute on a two-thirds majority basis.
(3) A law determines the composition and functioning of the commission, in addition to a method of calculating the time periods described in Articles 78 to 81.
 
Article 83  [Specification]
All motions and all draft bills specify whether contents refer to those issues described in Article 74, 77, or 78.
 
Article 84  [Interpretation of Laws]
The authoritatives interpretation of laws remains the sole competency of the law.
 

Chapter III  King and Federal Government

 

Section I  The King

 
Article 85  [Dynasty]
(1) The King's constitutional powers are hereditary through the direct, natural, and legitimate descent from H.M. Leopold, Georges, Chretien, Frederic of Saxony-Coburg, by order of primogeniture.
(2) The successor described in Paragraph (1) shall be deprived of his rights to the crown, if he marries without the King's consent or, in the absence thereof, without the consent of those exercising the King's powers in cases provided for by the Constitution.
(3) His lost right may nonetheless be re-established by the King, or, in the absence thereof, by those exercising the King'spowers in cases provided for by the Constitution, in the event of agreement on the part of both Houses.
 
Article 86  [Succession]
(1) For lack of a descendant to H. M. Leopold, Georges, Chretien, Frederic of Saxony-Coburg, the King may name his successor, with the approval of the Houses, in such a manner as prescribed in Article 87.
(2) In the absence of a nomination undertaken in the above-mentioned manner, the throne shall be vacant.
 
Article 87  [Other Kingdom]
(1) The King may not simultaneously act as head of another state without the consent of both Houses.
(2) Neither of the two Houses may debate this matter unless two-thirds of their members are present, and the resolution may be adopted only with a two-thirds majority vote.
 
Article 88  [Responsibility]
The King's person is inviolable; his ministers are responsible.
 
Article 89  [Civil List]
The civil list for the duration of each reign is established by law.
 
Article 90  [King's Tasks]
(1) Upon the King's death, the Houses meet without convocation, ten days following the decease at latest. Should the Houses have been previously dissolved, and should the convocation in the dissolution act have been made for a time later than the tenth day following the decease, then the former Houses are to return to their functions until the establishment of those destined to replace them.
(2) From the moment of the King's death and until the taking of oath by his successor to the throne or by the Regent, the King's constitutional powers are exercised, in the name of the Belgian people, by the Council of Ministers, and under their responsibility.
 
Article 91  [King's Majority, Oath]
(1) The King attains his majority upon completion of his eighteenth year of age.
(2) The King may accede to the throne only after having taken the following oath before the united Houses:
"I swear to observe the Constitution and the laws of the Belgian people, to preserve our national independence and our territorial integrity".
 
Article 92  [Minority Guardianship]
Should, upon the King's death, his successor be under age, the two Houses meet as a single assembly, for the purpose of regency and guardianship.
 
Article 93  [Inability Guardianship]
Should the King find himself unable to reign, the ministers, having observed this inability, immediately summon the Houses.  Regency and guardianship are to be provided by the United Houses.
 
Article 94  [Conferring Regency]
(1) Regency may be conferred on only one person.
(2) The Regent may take office only after having taken the oath as specified in Article 91.
 
Article 95  [Vacancy of the Throne]
Should the throne be vacant, the Houses, debating as one assembly, temporarily ensure regency, until the convening ofthe fully renewed Houses.  This meeting must take place within two months.  The new Houses, debating as one assembly, provide permanent cover for the vacancy.
 

Section II  The Federal Government

 
Article 96  [Establishing Government]
(1) The King appoints and dismisses his ministers.
(2) 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 disapproval, proposing to the King the nomination of a successor to the Prime Minister, or proposes to the King the nomination of a successor to the Prime Minister within three days of the rejection of a motion of confidence.  The King names the proposed successor as Prime Minister, who takes office the moment the new federal Government is sworn in.
 
Article 97  [Eligibility for Government]
Belgians alone may be ministers.
 
Article 98  [Royal Incompatibility]
No member of the royal family may be a minister.
 
Article 99  [Composition of Government]
(1) The Council of Ministers includes fifteen members at most.
(2) With the possible exception of the Prime Minister, the
Council of Ministers includes as many French-speaking
members as Dutch-speaking members.
 
Article 100  [Government in Parliament]
(1) Ministers have access to both Houses and must be heard whenever they so request.
(2) The House of Representatives may demand the presence of ministers.  The Senate may request their presence for discussion of a motion or a draft bill as described in Article 77 or of a motion or a draft bill as described in Article 78, or for the exercise of its right to investigate as described in Article 56.  For other matters, the Senate may request their presence.
 
Article 101  [Responsibility, Indemnity]
(1) Ministers are responsible before the House of Representatives.
(2) No minister may be prosecuted or pursued on account of opinions expressed in the line of his duties.
 
Article 102  [Exclusive Responsibility]
Under no circumstances may a written or verbal order of the King diminish the responsibilities of a minister.
 
Article 103  [Control]
(1) The House of Representatives has the right to accuse ministers and to confront them before the Supreme Court of Appeal, the latter alone having authority to judge them, Chambers assembled, except for that which is statuted by law, regarding the exercising of a civil suit by a victimized party and regarding crimes and misdeeds which ministers may have committed outside their line of duty.
(2) Cases of responsibility are determined by law, as are the sentences and the manner of proceeding against them, either on the basis of the accusations introduced in the House of Representatives or on the basis of a civil suit emanating from a victimized part.
(3) Until being covered by the law described in Paragraph (2), the House of Representatives holds discretionary powers to accuse a minister, and the Supreme Court of Appeal to judge him, in those cases established by penal laws and by the application of thosesentences foreseen.
 
Article 104  [Secretaries of State]
(1) The King appoints and dismisses the federal Secretaries of State.
(2) The latter are members of the federal Government.  They are not part of the Council of Ministers.  They are deputies to a minister.
(3) The King determines their attributions and the limits within which they may engage in countersigning.
(4) Constitutional provisions which apply to ministers apply equally to federal Secretaries of State, with the exception of Articles 90 (2), 93, and 99.
 

Section III  Responsibilities

 
Article 105  [Limited Powers]
The King has no powers other than those formally attributed to him by the Constitution and by specific laws established by virtue of the Constitution itself.
 
Article 106  [Countersignature]
No actions of the King may take effect without the countersignature of a minister, who, in doing so, takes responsibility upon himself.
 
Article 107  [Army]
(1) The King bestows ranks within the army.
(2) He appoints individuals to general administrative functions and to foreign affairs, but for those exceptions established by law.
(3) He appoints individuals to other functions only by virtue of specific provisions of a law.
 
Article 108  [Execution of Laws]
The King establishes regulations and decrees required for the execution of laws, without ever having the power to either suspend the laws themselves, or to dispense from their execution.
 
Article 109  [Promulgation]
The King sanctions and promulgates laws.
 
Article 110  [Right to Pardon]
The King has the right to annul or to reduce sentences pronounced by judges, except for that which is statuted relative to ministers and members of Community and Regional Governments.
 
Article 111  [Limitation of Pardon]
The King may not pardon a minister or the member of a Community or Regional Government condemned by the Supreme Court of Appeal, except at the express demand of the House of Representatives or of the Council concerned.
 
Article 112  [Money]
The King may mint money, in keeping with the law.
 
Article 113  [Titles]
The King may confer titles of nobility, while remaining unable to attach privileges to the latter.
 
Article 114  [Military Orders]
The King may give military orders within the limits prescribed by law.
 

Chapter IV  Communities, Regions
Section I  Bodies

 

Subsection I  Community and Regional Councils

 
Article 115  [Councils]
(1.1) There is a French Community Council and a Flemish Community Council, named Flemish Council, the composition and the functioning of which are established by law, adopted by majority vote as described in Article 4, last paragraph.
(1.2) There is a German-speaking Community Council, the composition and the functioning of which are determined by law.
(2) Without prejudice to Article 137, regional bodies as described in Article 39 comprise a Council for each Region.
 
Article 116  [Elections]
(1) The Councils are composed of elected representatives.
(2.1) Each Community Council is composed of members elected directly as members of the concerned Community Council or as members of a Regional Council.
(2.2) The application of Article 137 notwithstanding, each Regional Council is composed of members elected directly as members of the Regional Council concerned or as members of a Community Council.
 
Article 117  [Term]
(1) Council members are elected for a period of five years.  The Councils are completely renewed every five years.
(2) Unless a law, adopted by majority vote as described in Article 4, last paragraph, should specify otherwise, Council elections are to take place on the same day and are to coincide with European Parliamentary elections.
 
Article 118  [Election Law]
(1) Elections described in Article 116 (2) as well as the composition and functioning of Councils are fixed by law.  But for the German-speaking Community Council, this law is adopted by majority vote as described in Article 4, last paragraph.
(2) A law, adopted by majority vote as described in Article 4, last paragraph, establishes those matters relative to the election, composition, and functioning of the French Community Council, of the Walloon Regional Council and of the Flemish Community Council, which are regulated by their respective Councils, either by decree or by ruling as described in Article 134, according to the case.  This decree and this ruling as described in Article 134 are adopted by a two-thirds majority vote, provided that a majority of members of the Council concerned are present.
 
Article 119   [Incompatibility]
A Council member's mandate is incompatible with that of a member of the House of Representatives.  Moreover, it is incompatible with a senator's mandate as described in Article 67 (1.1), (1.2), (1.6), and (1.7).
 
Article 120  [Immunities]
All Council members benefit from those immunities described in Articles 58 and 59.
 

Subsection II  Regional and Community Governments

 
Article 121  [Community Governments]
(1.1) There is a French Community Government and a Flemish Community Government, the composition and functioning ofwhich are established by law, adopted by majority vote as described in Article 4, last paragraph.
(1.2) There is a German-speaking Community Government, the composition and functioning of which are established by law.
(2) Without prejudice to Article 137, the Regional bodies described in Article 39 include a Government for each Region.
 
Article 122  [Incompatibility]
Members of each Community or Regional Government are elected by their Councils.
 
Article 123  [Remuneration, Limited Immunity]
(1) The law establishes the composition and functioning of Community and of Regional Governments.  But for the case of the German-speaking Community Government, this law is adopted by majority vote as described in Article 4, last paragraph.
(2) A law, adopted by majority vote as described in Article 4, last paragraph, determines those matters relative to the composition and to the functioning of the French Community Government, the Walloon Regional Government, and the Flemish Community Government, which are regulated by their respective Councils, either by decree or by ruling as described in Article 134, according to the case.  This decree and this ruling described in Article 134 are adopted by a two-thirds majority vote, provided that a majority of members of the Council concerned are present.
 
Article 124  [Indemnity]
No member of a Community or of a Regional Government may be prosecuted or pursued on the basis of opinions or votes expressed by him in the line of his duties.
 
Article 125  [Accusation]
(1) All Council members benefit from those immunities described in Articles 58 and 59 Regional and Community Councils possess the right to accuse members of their respective Governments and to confront the latter before the Supreme Court of Appeal which alone may judge them, chambers together, but for that which is statuted by law regarding the exercising of civil suits by victimized parties and concerning crimes and misdeeds which Regional or Community Government members may have committed outside the line of their duties.
(2) A law shall determine the cases of responsibility, the sentences to be passed upon members of Regional or Community Governments, in addition to the manner of proceeding against them, either on the basis of the accusations expressed by their Councils or on the basis of a civil suit engaged by a victimized party.
(3) Those laws described in Paragraphs (1) and (2) must be adopted by a majority vote, as described in Article 4, last paragraph.
(4) Until covered by the law described in Paragraph (2), Regional and Community Councils possess the discretionary power to accuse a member of their Government, and the Supreme Court of Appeal to judge the latter in those cases described in penal law and through the application of penalties stipulated therein.
 
Article 126  [Regional Secretaries of State]
Constitutional dispositions relative to Regional and Community Government members, in addition to those executory laws described in Article 125, last paragraph, apply to Regional Secretaries of State.
Section II  Responsibilities
 

Subsection I  Community Responsibilities

 
Article 127  [Decrees, Competencies]
(1.1) The French and Dutch Community Councils, respectively, establish by decree:
1) cultural issues;
2) education, with the exception of:
a) the determination of the beginning and of the end of mandatory schooling;
b) minimum standards for the granting of diplomas;
c) attribution of pensions;
3) inter-Community co-operation, in addition to international co-operation, including the drafting of treaties for those matters described in 1) and 2).
(1.2) A law adopted by majority vote as described in Article 4, last paragraph, establishes those cultural matters described in 1), types of co-operation described in 3), in addition to terms governing the conclusion of treaties described in 3).
(2) These decrees have force of law in French-language and in Dutch-language regions respectively, as well as in those institutions established in the bilingual Region of Brussels-Capital which, on account of their activities, must be considered as belonging exclusively to one Community or the other.
 
Article 128  [Decrees on Personal Issues]
(1.1) The French and Flemish Community Councils rule by decree, in as much as each is concerned, on personal issues, in addition to what is included in such issues, matters of inter-communal and international cooperation, including the ratification of treaties.
(1.2) A law adopted by majority vote as described in Article 4, last paragraph, establishes such personal issues, in addition to the various forms of cooperation and the terms governing ratification of treaties.
(2) These decrees have force of law in French-language and in Dutch-language regions respectively, as well as in those institutions established in the bilingual Region of Brussels-Capital which, on account of their activities, must be considered as belonging exclusively to one Community or the other, unless a law adopted by majority vote as provided for in Article 4, last paragraph, makes other provisions with regard to those institutions in the bilingual Region of Brussels-Capital.
 
Article 129  [Decrees on Language]
(1) The French and Dutch Community Councils rule by decree, in as much as each is concerned, excluding the federal legislator, on the use of language for:
1) administrative matters;
2) education in those establishments created, subsidized, and recognized by public authorities;
3) social relations between employers and their personnel, in addition to corporate acts and documents required by law and by regulations.
(2) These decrees have force of law in French-language and in Dutch-language regions respectively except as concerns:
- those communes or groups of communes contiguous to another linguistic Region and in which the law prescribes or allows use of another language than that of the Region in which they are located.  For these communes, a modification of the rules governing the use of languages as described in (1) may take place only through a law adopted by majority vote as described in Article 4, last paragraph;
- services the activities of which extend beyond the linguistic Region within which they are established;
- federal and international institutions designated by law, the activities of which are common to more than one Community.
 
Article 130  [German-speaking Community Council]
(1.1) The German-speaking Community Council rules by decree on:
1) cultural issues;
2) personal issues;
3) education, within the limits established by Article 127 (1)(1,2);
4) inter-Community co-operation, in addition to international co-operation, including the conclusion of treaties, for issues described in 1), 2), and 3).
(1.2) The law establishes cultural and persona issues described in 1) and 2), in addition to the forms of cooperation described in 4) and the manner in which treaties are concluded.
(2) These decrees have force of law in the German language Region.
 
Article 131  [Non-Discrimination]
The law determines measures designed to prevent all forms of discrimination for ideological or philosophical reasons.
 
Article 132  [Right to Initiative]
The right of initiative belongs to the Community Government and to members of the Community Council.
 
Article 133  [Interpretation]
The interpretation of decrees by voice of authority belongs the Brussels-Capital Regional Council, on the other hand.
 

Subsection II  Regional Responsibility

 
Article 134  [Regional Council Decrees]
(1) Laws executed on the basis of Article 39 determine the judicial force of the rules which the organs that they create may take in matters which they determine.
(2) They may confer the power to decree with force of law to these organs, with the responsibilities and in the manner which they establish.
 

Subsection III  Special Dispositions

 
Article 135  [Region of Brussels-Capital]
A law adopted by majority vote as described in Article 4, last paragraph, designates those authorities within the bilingual Region of Brussels-Capital which exercise those responsibilities not attributed to Communities as described in Article 128 (1).
 
Article 136  [Linguistic Groups in Brussels-Capital]
(1) There are linguistic groups within the Brussels-Capital Regional Council, and among the governing bodies, qualified with respect to Community issues; their composition, functioning, and responsibilities and, without prejudice to Article 175, their financing, are regulated by a law adopted by majority vote as described in Article 4, last paragraph.
(2) The governing bodies together form the United Governing Bodies, acting as an inter-Community consultation and coordination organ.
 
Article 137  [French and Flemish Community Council]
In view of the application of Article 39, the French and Flemish Community Councils, in addition to their respectiveGovernments, may exercise the responsibilities, respectively, of the Walloon and of the Flemish Regional Governments, along the terms and according to those conditions established by law.  This law must be adopted by a majority vote as described in Article 4, last paragraph.
 
Article 138  [French Community Responsibilities]
(1) The French Community Council, on one hand, and the Walloon Regional Council and the French linguistic group of the Brussels-Capital Regional Council, on the other hand, may decide of common accord and each by decree, that the Walloon Regional Council and Government in the French-language Region, and the Brussels-Capital Regional Council and its governing bodies in the bilingual Region of Brussels-Capital may exercise, in full or in part, the responsibilities of the French Community.
(2) These decrees are adopted by a two-thirds majority vote within the French Community Council, and by absolute majority within the Walloon Regional Council and by the French linguistic group within the Brussels-Capital Regional Council, provided that a majority of the Council members or of of the members of the linguistic group concerned are present.  They may settle the financing of the responsibilities which they designate, in addition to transfers of personnel, of assets, of rights and of obligations which may concern them.
(3) These responsibilities are exercised, according to the case, either by decree, by order, or by ruling.
 
Article 139  [German- and Walloon Council]
(1) Upon request by their respective Governments, the German-speaking Community Council and the Walloon Regional Council may, by decree, decide of common accord that Walloon Regional responsibilities may be exercised in whole or in part by the German-speaking Community Council and Government in the German-language Region.
(2) These responsibilities may be exercised, according to the case, either by decree, by order, or by ruling.
 
Article 140  [Decrees of German-speaking Institutions]
(1) The German-speaking Community Council and Government exercise by means of decrees and rulings all other responsibilities attributed by law.
(2) Article 159 is applicable to these decrees and rulings.
 

Chapter V  Conflict Prevention, Court of Arbitration

 
Article 141  [Prevention of Responsibility Conflicts]
The law organizes procedures tending to foresee conflicts between laws, decrees, and rulings described in Article 134, in addition to between decrees among themselves and the rulings described in Article 134 among themselves.
 
Article 142  [Court of Arbitration, i.e. Constitutional Court]
(1) There is, for all of Belgium, a Court of Arbitration, the composition, competencies, and functioning of which are established by law.
(2) This court statutes by means of ruling on:
1) those conflicts described in Article 141;
2) the violation through a law, a decree, or a ruling as
described in Article 134 of Articles 10, 11, and 24;
3) the violation through a law, a decree, or through a ruling as described in Article 134, of constitutional articles determined by law.
(3) The court may be solicited by any authority designated by law, by any person with justified interests, or, on aninterlocutory basis, by any jurisdiction.
(4) Those laws described in Paragraph (1), in Paragraph (2), 3), and in Paragraph (3) are adopted by majority vote as described in Article 4, last paragraph.
 
Article 143  [Prevention and Settling of Conflicts of Interest]
(1) In the exercise of their respective responsibilities, the Federal Government, the Communities, the Regions, and the common Community Commission act in the interests of federal loyalty, in order to prevent conflicts of interest.
(2) The Senate makes decisions, by means of well-founded judgments, on conflicts of interest which may exist between the various bodies through laws, decrees, or rulings as described in Article 134, within the conditions and according to the procedures determined by a law adopted by majority vote as described in Article 4, last paragraph.
(3) A law adopted by majority vote as described in 4, last paragraph organizes the procedures designed to prevent and to settle conflicts of interest between Federal, Community, and Regional Governments, and between the common Community Commission assembly.
(4) Concerning the prevention and the settling of conflicts of interest, the ordinary law of 9 Aug 1980 regarding institutional reform remains valid; it nonetheless can be rescinded, completed, modified, or replaced only by those laws described in Paragraphs (2) and (3).
 

Chapter VI  Judiciary Power

 
Article 144  [Civil Rights Conflicts]
Courts hold exclusive competency with respect to conflicts involving civil rights issues.
 
Article 145  [Political Rights Conflicts]
Courts hold competency with respect to conflicts involving political rights, save for the exceptions established by law.
 
Article 146  [No Extraordinary Courts or Tribunals]
Under no circumstance may a court or contentious jurisdiction be established, other than on the sole basis of a law.  Under no denomination may a commission or an extraordinary tribunal he created.
 
Article 147  [Court of Cassation]
(1) There is a Court of Cassation for the whole of Belgium.
(2) This court lacks competency regarding matters of substance save for the judgment of ministers and of members of Regional and Community Governments.
 
Article 148  [Publicity]
(1) Court hearings are open, unless public access should jeopardize morals or order.  In this case, the court so declares by ruling.
(2) Regarding political wrongdoings or those of the press, proceedings behind closed doors may be undertaken only on the basis of a unanimous vote.
 
Article 149  [Reasoned Judgments]
All judgments are well-founded.  They are pronounced in open court.
 
Article 150  [Juries]
The jury is established for all criminal matters, in addition to issues of political and press wrongdoings.
 
Article 151  [Nomination of Judges]
(1) Court magistrates and court judges are directly named by the King.
(2) Appeal judges and the presidents and vice-presidents of the high Courts of Justice to which they are attached are named by the King on two double lists.  One is presented by the courts, the other by provincial Councils and by the Brussels Capital Regional Council, as the case may be.
(3) Judges of the Court of Cassation are named by the King on two double lists.  One is presented by the Court of Cassation, the other, alternately, by the House of Representatives and by the Senate.
In both cases, candidates of one list may be placed on the other.
All presentations are made public, at least fifteen days prior to nomination.
(4) Courts choose within themselves their presidents and vice-presidents.
 
Article 152  [Status of Judges]
(1) Judges are appointed for life.  They retire at an age determined by law and benefit from the pension foreseen by law.
(2) No judge can be deprived of his post nor suspended except by court decision.
(3) The transfer of a judge can only take place with his consent and after a replacement has been appointed.
 
Article 153  [Judicial Administration]
The King appoints and dismisses officers of the public ministries working within courts and tribunals.
 
Article 154  [Remuneration]
Remuneration of members of the judiciary order is established by law.
 
Article 155  [Incompatibility, Courts of Appeal]
No judge may accept a salaried role on behalf of a Government, unless this role is exercised free of charge and without the existence of incompatibility determined by law.
 
Article 156  [Courts of Appeal]
There are five Courts of Appeal in Belgium:
1) that of Brussels, with jurisdiction over the provinces of Walloon Brabant, of Flemish Brabant, and of the bilingual Region of Brussels-Capital;
2) that of Ghent, with jurisdiction over the provinces of West Flanders and of East Flanders;
3) that of Antwerp, with jurisdiction over the provinces of Antwerp and Limburg;
4) that of Li###ge, with jurisdiction over the provinces of Li###ge, of Namur, and of Luxemburg; and
5) that of Mons, with jurisdiction over the province of Hainaut.
 
Article 157  [Military, Commercial, and Vocational Courts]
(1) Specific laws cover the organization of military courts, their attributions, the rights and the obligations of the members of these courts, in addition to the duration of their assignments.
(2) There are commercial courts, in locations determined by law.  Their organization, attributions, and member nomination methods, in addition to the duration of assignment of their members, are described in the law.
(3) The law also covers the organization of work jurisdictions, their attributions, the manner in which their members are nominated, and the duration of their assignments.
 
Article 158  [Attribution Conflicts]
The Court of Cassation makes decisions in attribution conflicts in the manner provided for by law.
 
Article 159  [Rule of Law]
Courts and tribunals may apply decisions and general, provincial, or local rulings only inasmuch as these are in conformity with the law.
 

Chapter VII  Council of State, Administrative Jurisdiction

 
Article 160  [Council of State]
(1) There is a Council of State for all of Belgium, the composition, responsibilities, and functioning of which are determined by law.  However, the law may allow the King to establish the procedure in keeping with those principles it describes.
(2) The Council of State statutes by ruling as an administrative jurisdiction, and provides an opinion in those cases determined by the law.
 
Article 161  [Administrative Jurisdiction]
Under no circumstance may administrative jurisdiction be established other than on the sole basis of a law.
 

Chapter VIII  Provincial and Communal Institutions

 
Article 162  [Principles]
(1) Provincial and communal institutions are governed by the law.
(2) The law applies the following principles:
1) the direct election of provincial and of communal Council members;
2) the attribution to provincial and communal Councils all that which is in the provincial or communal interest, without prejudice to the approval of their actions in cases and following that manner determined by law;
3) the decentralization of attributions in favor of provincial and communal institutions;
4) the publicizing of provincial and communal Council meetings within the limits established by law;
5) the publicizing of accounts and budgets;
6) the intervention of overseeing authorities or of the federal legislative power, to prevent violations of the law or harm to public interests.
(3) In application of a law adopted by majority vote as described in Article 4, last paragraph, the organization and application of administrative overseeing may be determined by Community or Regional Councils.
(4) In application of a law adopted by majority vote as described in Article 4, last paragraph, the decree or the ruling described in Article 134 establishes the conditions and the manner in which several provinces or communes may associate themselves or co-operate.  However, the convening of several provincial or communal Councils for joint deliberation may not be allowed.
 
Article 163  [Shared Responsibility]
(1) Those responsibilities exercised within the Walloon and Flemish Regions by elected provincial bodies are exercised, in the bilingual Region of Brussels-Capital, by the French and Flemish Communities, and by the common Community Commission, each with respect to matters within their jurisdictions and by virtue of Articles 127 and 128 and, with respect to other issues, by the Brussels-Capital Region.
(2) However, a law adopted by majority vote as described in Article 4, last paragraph, establishes the conditions bywhich the Brussels-Capital Region or all institutions the members of which are designated by the latter exercise the responsibilities described in Paragraph (1) which do not depend upon those matters described in Article 39.  A law adopted by the same majority establishes the attributions to those institutions described in Article 136 of all or part of the responsibilities described in Paragraph (1), subject to those matters described in Articles 127 and 128.
 
Article 164  [Registers]
The drafting of civil acts and maintenance of registers belong exclusively to the attributions of communal authorities.
 
Article 165  [Urban Entities, Federations of Communes]
(1.1) The law creates urban entities and federations of communes.  It determines their organization and their responsibilities through application of those principles described in Article 162.
(1.2) For each urban area and for each federation there exists a Council and an executive committee.
(1.3) The president of the executive committee is elected by and within the Council; his election is ratified by the King; the law establishes his statute.
(1.4) Articles 159 and 190 apply to the rulings and regulations of urban entities and federations of communes.
(1.5) The geographical limits of urban entities and of federations of communes may only be changed or rectified on the sole basis of a law.
(2) The law creates the body within which each urban entity and nearby federations of communes may meet, according to the conditions and manner which the law establishes, for the examination of common problems of a technical nature within their respective areas of competence.
(3) Several federations of communes may cooperate or associate themselves with one or more urban entities in accordance with the conditions and in the manner prescribed by law, to jointly manage and regulate those issues within their respective areas of competence.  Their Councils may not engage in joint deliberation.
 
Article 166  [Brussels-Capital]
(1) Article 165 applies to that urban entity to which the capital of the Kingdom belongs, with the exception of that which is established hereafter.
(2) The responsibilities of the urban entity to which the Kingdom's capital belongs are, in the manner determined by a law adopted by majority vote as described in Article 4, last paragraph, exercised by those bodies of the Brussels-Capital Region created by virtue of Article 39.
(3) The bodies described in Article 136:
1) possess, each for its Community, responsibilities identical to those of other organizing powers with respect to cultural, educational, and personal matters;
2) exercise, for their respective Communities, the responsibilities delegated to them by the French Community Council and by the Flemish Community Council;
3) jointly settle those matters described in 1) which are of  common interest.
 

Title IV  International Relations

 
Article 167  [Shared Responsibility]
(1.1) The King manages international relations, without prejudice to the ability of Communities and Regions to engage in international co-operation, including the signature of treaties, for those matters within their responsibilities as established bythe Constitution and in virtue thereof.
(1.2) The King commands the armed forces, and determines the state of war and the cessation of hostilities.  He notifies the Houses as soon as State interests and security permit and he adds those messages deemed appropriate.
(1.3) Territorial transfers, exchanges, and additions may take place only by virtue of a law.
(2) The King concludes treaties, with the exception of those described in Paragraph (3).  These treaties may take effect only following approval of the Houses.
(3) Those Community and Regional Governments described in Article 121%3C/a%3E%20 ">conclude, in matters that concern them, treaties regarding matters that are in the scope of the responsibilities of their Councils.  These treaties may take effect only following approval by the council.
(4) A law adopted by majority vote as described in Article 4, last paragraph, specifies the terms for conclusion of treaties described in Paragraph (3), and for those treaties not exclusively concerned with issues within the competence of Regions or Communities or by virtue of the Constitution.
(5.1) The King may denounce treaties concluded before 18 May 1993 and covering matters described in Paragraph (3) of common accord with those Community or Regional Governments concerned.
(5.2) The King denounces these treaties if the Community or Regional Governments concerned invite him to do so.  A law adopted by majority vote as described in Article 4, last paragraph, establishes the procedure in the event of disagreement between the Community or Regional Governments concerned.
 
Article 168  [Parliament Information]
The Houses are informed from the beginning of negotiations concerning any revision of the treaties establishing the European Community in addition to treaties and acts which may have modified or completed the latter.  They are aware of the planned treaty prior to signature.
 
Article 169  [Representation of Powers]
In order to ensure respect of international or supranational obligations, the authorities described in Articles 36 and 37 may, within the limits established by law, temporarily substitute themselves for those bodies described in Articles 115 and 121.  This law must be adopted by majority vote as established in Article 4, last paragraph.
 

Title V  Finance

 
Article 170  [Taxes]
(1) Taxes to the benefit of the State may be imposed only by virtue of a law.
(2.1) Taxes to the benefit of Communities or Regions may be imposed only through a decree or ruling as described in Article 134.
(2.2) The law determines, with respect to those taxes described in Paragraph (1) those exceptions of proven necessity.
(3.1) A fee or tax may be established by a province only following the decision of its Council.
(3.2) A law determines, with respect to the taxes described in Paragraph (1), those exceptions of proven necessity.
(3.3) The law can suppress, either totally or partially, the taxes referred to in Paragraph (1).
(4.1) No charge or tax can be established by the urban districts, by the federation of communes, nor by the communes except by a decision made by their Councils.
(4.2) The law determines, with respect to the taxes described inParagraph (1), those exceptions of proven necessity.
 
Article 171  [Annual Vote on Taxes]
(1) Taxes to the benefit of the State, the Community, or the Region are voted on an annual basis.
(2) Rules which determine them remain valid for one year if they are not renewed.
 
Article 172  [No Privileges]
(1) No privileges with regard to taxes can be established.
(2) No exemption or reduction of taxes can be established except by a law.
 
Article 173  [Purpose of Taxation]
Except for the provinces, polders, and drainage systems, and those cases formally excepted by the laws, the decrees and rules described in Article 134, taxes may be imposed upon citizens only for the benefit of the State, the Community, the Region, the urban entity, the federation of communes or the commune.
 
Article 174  [Budget]
(1) Each year, the House of Representatives rules on the approval of State accounts and votes on the Budget.  However, the House of Representatives and the Senate establish their respective allocations on an annual basis.
(2) All State receipts and expenditure must be included in the budget and included in the accounts.
 
Article 175  [Community Budget]
(1) A law adopted by majority vote as described in Article 4, last paragraph, establishes the method of financing for the French Community and for the Flemish Community.
(2) The French and Flemish Community Councils decide upon the spending of their respective attributions by decree.
 
Article 176  [German-speaking Community]
(1) The method of financing of the German-speaking Community is established by law.
(2) The German-speaking Community Council decides upon the spending of its financial attributions by decree.
 
Article 177  [Regional Budget]
(1) A law adopted by majority vote as described in Article 4, last paragraph, fixes the methods of financing for Regions.
(2) Regional Councils determine, respectively, the uses to which financial means are applied, in keeping with the terms described in Article 134.
 
Article 178  [Financial Transfer]
Within the conditions and terms described by law adopted by majority vote as described in Article 4, last paragraph, the Brussels-Capital Regional Council transfers, by virtue of the rule described in Article 134, financial means to the joint Community Commission and to the French and Flemish Community Commissions.
 
Article 179  [Pension Only by Law]
Under no circumstance may a pension or other form of compensation be attributed other than by sole virtue of a law.
 
Article 180 [State Audit Office]
(1) Members of the State Audit Office are nominated by the House of Representatives for a duration established by law.
(2) This Office is responsible for the examination and for the liquidation of general administration accounts and for theaccounts of accountants working for the public treasury.  It must see that no budgetary item is surpassed and that no transfers take place.  The Office also oversees operations relative to the establishment and to the perception of State income, including tax collection.  It establishes the accounts of the various State administrations, and is responsible, in this regard, for the collection of all required information and accounting items.
(3) General accounts of the State are submitted to the House of Representatives with State Audit Office observations.
(4) This Office is organized by law.
 
Article 181  [Remuneration of Religious and Moral Leaders]
(1) The State awards remuneration and pensions to religious leaders; those amounts required are included in the budget on an annual basis.
(2) The State awards remuneration and pensions to representatives of organizations recognized by the law as providing moral assistance according to a non-religious philosophical concept; those amounts required are included in the budget on an annual basis.
 

Title VI  Army and Police

 
Article 182  [Army Recruitment]
Army recruitment methods are determined by law.  The law also establishes matters of promotion, and the rights and obligations of military personnel.
 
Article 183  [Military Quotas]
Military quotas are voted annually.  The law establishing them remains valid for one year if it is not renewed.
 
Article 184  [State Police]
The organization and the attributions of the State Police are the subject of a law.
 
Article 185  [No Foreign Troops]
Under no circumstance may foreign troops be admitted within the service of the State, or occupy or cross through the territory other than on the sole basis of a law.
 
Article 186  [Deprivation of Rank]
Military personnel may be deprived of rank, honors, and pensions only in the manner described by law.
 

Title VII  General Dispositions

 
Article 187  [No Suspension of Constitution]
The Constitution may not be wholly or partially suspended.
 
Article 188  [Old Law]
From the day on which the Constitution becomes enforceable, all laws, decrees, rulings, rules, and other acts are annulled.
 
Article 189  [Binding Texts]
Constitutional texts are established in French, in Dutch, and in German.
 
Article 190  [Mandatory Publication of Laws]
No law, decree, or general administrative ruling, whether provincial or communal, may take effect until having been published in the manner described by law.
 
Article 191  [Protection of Foreigners]
All foreigners on Belgian soil benefit from that protectionprovided to persons and property, save for those exceptions provided for by law.
 
Article 192  [Legal Oaths]
No oath may be imposed other than by sole virtue of a law.  The latter determines wording.
 
Article 193  [Colors, Coat of Arms]
The Belgian Nation adopts red, yellow, and black colors, while the Coat of Arms depicts the Lion of Belgium with the Motto: Union Makes Strength.
 
Article 194  [Capital]
The city of Brussels is the capital of Belgium and the headquarters of the federal Government.
 

Title VIII  Revision of the Constitution

 
Article 195  [Declaration, Dissolution, New Houses Debate]
(1) The federal legislative power has the right to declare a warranted constitutional revision of those matters which it determines.
(2) Following such a declaration, the two Houses are dissolved by full right.
(3) Two new Houses are then convened, in keeping with the terms of Article 46.
(4) These Houses statute, of common accord with the King, on those points submitted for revision.
(5) In this case, the Houses may debate only provided that two-thirds of the members composing each House are present; and no change may be adopted unless voted upon by a two-thirds majority.
 
Article 196  [Restrictions]
No constitutional revision may be undertaken or pursued during times of war or when the Houses are prevented from meeting freely on federal territory.
 
Article 197  [Permanent Regency]
During a regency, no changes may be brought to the Constitution regarding the constitutional powers of the King and Articles 85 to 88, 91 to 95, 106, and 197.
 
Article 198  [Editorial Changes]
(1) In agreement with the King, the Constituting Chambers may adapt the numerical order of articles and of sub-articles of the Constitution, in addition to sub-divisions of the latter into titles, sections, and chapters, modify the terminology of dispositions not submitted for revision in order for them to be in keeping with the terminology of new dispositions, and ensure the concordance of French, Dutch, and German constitutional texts.
(2) In this case, the Houses may debate only provided that two-thirds of the members composing each House are present; and no change may be adopted unless voted upon by a two-thirds majority.
 

Title IX  Succession, Transition

 

[Part I  Rules of Succession]

(1) The dispositions of Article 85 shall for the first time be applicable to the descent from H.R.H. Prince Albert, Felix, Humbert, Theodore, Christian, Eugene, Marie, Prince of Liege, Prince of Belgium, it being understood that the marriage of H.R.H. Princess Astrid, Josephine, Charlotte, Fabrizia, Elisabeth, Paola, Marie, Princess of Belgium, with Lorenz, Archduke of East Austria, was meant to have obtained theconsent described in Article 85 (2).
(2) Until such time, the following dispositions remain in effect.
(3) The constitutional powers of the King are hereditary through the direct, natural, and legitimate descent from H.M. Leopold, George, Chretien, Frederic of Saxony-Coburg, from male to male, by order of primogeniture and with the permanent exclusion of women and of their descendants.
(4) It shall be deprived of his rights to the crown any prince who marries without the consent of the King, or, in his absence, of those who exercise his authority as provided for by the Constitution.
(5) He may, however, be relieved of this deprivation by the King, or, in his absence, by those who exercise his authority as provided for by the Constitution, provided the consent of the two Houses is obtained.
 

[Part II  Article 32]
The Article 32 takes effect on 1 Jan 1995.

 

[Part III  Article 125]
The Article 125 is valid for events taking place after 8 May 1993.

 

[Part IV  Transitional Council Elections]

(1) The next Council elections, in keeping with those dispositions of Articles 115 (2), 116 (2), 118, and 119, with the exclusion of Article 117, take place on the same day as the next general elections to the House of Representatives.  The following Council elections, in keeping with Articles 115 (2), 116 (2), 118, and 119 take place on the same day as the second European Parliamentary elections following the taking of effect of Articles 115 (2), 118, 120, 121 (2), 123, and 124.
(2) Prior to the next elections to the House of Representatives, Articles 116 (2), 117, and 119 are not applicable.
 

[Part V  Transitional House of Representatives]

(1) Prior to the next complete renewal of the House of Representatives, notwithstanding the dispositions of Articles 43 (2), 46, 63, 67, 68, 69 3), 70, 74, 100, 101, 111, 151 (3), 174 (1), and 180 (2), last sentence, the following dispositions remain in effect.
a) Federal legislative power is collectively exercised by the King, by the House of Representatives, and by the Senate.
b) The King has the right to dissolve both Houses simultaneously, and the dissolution act implies voter convocations for within forty days and House convocations for within two months.
c) There are 212 members of the House of Representatives, and the federal divisor can be obtained by dividing the population of the Kingdom by 212.
d) The Senate is composed:
1) of 106 elected members, on the basis of the population of each province, in keeping with the terms of Article 61.  The dispositions of Article 62 are applicable to the election of these Senators;
2) of members elected by provincial Councils, on the basis of one senator per 200,000 inhabitants.  For each 125,000 surplus inhabitants, one additional senator is allowed.  Nonetheless, each provincial Council appoints at least three senators.
These members may not belong to the assembly which elects them, nor may they have been a part of the electing assembly for a period of two years prior to the election date.
3) of members elected by the Senate up to one-half of the number of senators elected by the provincial Councils.  Shouldthis number be odd, one unit is added.
These members are designated by the senators elected by virtue of 1) and 2).
The election of senators elected by virtue of 2) and 3) is carried out using the proportional representation system determined by law.
Should it become necessary, following 31 Dec 1994, to replace a senator elected by the Brabant provincial Council, the Senate elects a member in accordance with those conditions established by law.  With respect to this law, the House of Representatives and the Senate are competent on an equal footing.
e) In order to be elected senator one must, notwithstanding Article 69 1), 2), and 4), have completed forty years of age.
f) Senators are elected for a period of four years.
g) Ministers may have a participatory voice in debates only in that House of which they are members.
They have access to both Houses, and must be heard upon their request.
The Houses may demand the presence of ministers.
h) The King may pardon a minister or the member of a Community or Regional Government condemned by the Court of Cassation only following the request of one of the two Houses or of that Council concerned.
i) Judges of the Court of Cassation are appointed by the King on two double lists, one being presented by the Senate, the other by the Court of Cassation.
j) Every year, the Houses vote on the budget and rule on Government accounts.
k) The State Audit Office submits the general State accounts, with observations, to the House of Representatives and to the Senate.

(2) Articles 50, 75 (2) and (3), 77 to 83, 96 (2), and 99 (1) take effect from the moment the next complete renewal of the House of Representatives is effected.
 

[Part VI  Transition until 31 Dec 1994]

(1) Until 31 Dec 1994, and in derogation to Article 5 (1), the provinces are: Antwerp, Brabant, West Flanders, East Flanders, Hainaut, Liege, Limburg, Luxemburg, and Namur.
(2) The next provincial elections shall coincide with the next communal elections and shall take place on the second Sunday of Oct 1994.  Inasmuch as the law described in Paragraph (3), first part, has taken effect, electors shall be called upon on that same Sunday for the election of the Flemish Brabant and of the Walloon Brabant provincial Councils.
(3.1) The personnel and the assets of Brabant province shall be split between the province of Walloon Brabant, the province of Flemish Brabant, the Region of Brussels-Capital, the authorities and the institutions described in Articles 135 and 136, in addition to the federal authority, in keeping with the terms determined by a law adopted by majority vote as described in Article 4, last paragraph.
(3.2) Following the next renewal of the provincial Councils and until the moment of their repartition, personnel and assets remaining in common shall be jointly managed by the province of Walloon Brabant, that of Flemish Brabant, and by the competent authorities of the bilingual Region of Brussels-Capital.
(4) Until 31 Dec 1994, appeal court judges and the presidents and the vice-presidents of the High Courts of Justice upon which they depend, notwithstanding Article 151 (2), are named by the King on two double lists, one being presented by these courts, the other by the provincial Councils.
(5) Until 31 Dec 1994, notwithstanding Article 156 (1), the province of Brabant remains within the jurisdiction of the Appeals Court of Brussels.

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For methodology see: Comparing Constitutions and International Constitutional Law.
© 1994 - 27.6.2020 / For corrections please contact A. Tschentscher.