Declaration of Revision of the Constitution
Encyclopedia
A Declaration of Revision of the Constitution in Belgium
is a declaration that must be passed in order to amend the Belgian Constitution
. In accordance with Title VIII of the Constitution, the federal legislative power, which consists of the King
and the bicameral Federal Parliament
, has the right to declare that there are reasons to amend the constitutional provisions it determines. This is done by means of two Declarations of Revision of the Constitution, one adopted by the Chamber of Representatives and the Senate
, and one signed by the King and the Federal Government
.
Following this declaration, the Federal Parliament is automatically dissolved and a new federal election
must take place. This makes it impossible to amend the Constitution unless an election has intervened. Following the election, the new Federal Parliament can amend those provisions that have been declared revisable. Only the articles of the Constitution listed in both declarations are revisable.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
is a declaration that must be passed in order to amend the Belgian Constitution
Constitution of Belgium
The Constitution of Belgium dates back to 1831. Since then Belgium has been a parliamentary monarchy that applies the principles of ministerial responsibility for the government policy and the Trias Politica. The Constitution established Belgium as a centralised unitary state...
. In accordance with Title VIII of the Constitution, the federal legislative power, which consists of the King
Monarchy of Belgium
Monarchy in Belgium is constitutional and popular in nature. The hereditary monarch, at present Albert II, is the head of state and is officially called King of the Belgians .-Origins:...
and the bicameral Federal Parliament
Belgian Federal Parliament
The Belgian Federal Parliament is a bicameral parliament. It consists of the Chamber of Representatives and the Senate . It sits in the Palace of the Nation .- Chamber of Representatives :...
, has the right to declare that there are reasons to amend the constitutional provisions it determines. This is done by means of two Declarations of Revision of the Constitution, one adopted by the Chamber of Representatives and the Senate
Belgian Senate
The Belgian Senate is one of the two chambers of the bicameral Federal Parliament of Belgium, the other being the Chamber of Representatives. It is considered to be the "upper house" of the Federal Parliament.-History and future:...
, and one signed by the King and the Federal Government
Belgian federal government
The Cabinet of Belgium is the executive branch of the Belgian federal government, consisting of ministers and secretaries of state drawn from the political parties which form the governing coalition. Formally, the ministers are appointed by the King...
.
Following this declaration, the Federal Parliament is automatically dissolved and a new federal election
Elections in Belgium
Elections in Belgium gives information on election and election results in Belgium.Belgium elects its bicameral federal legislature, the Federal Parliament Elections in Belgium gives information on election and election results in Belgium.Belgium elects its bicameral federal legislature, the...
must take place. This makes it impossible to amend the Constitution unless an election has intervened. Following the election, the new Federal Parliament can amend those provisions that have been declared revisable. Only the articles of the Constitution listed in both declarations are revisable.
External links
- Articles of the Belgian Constitution that have been declared revisable in Dutch and in French (Belgian Official JournalBelgian Official JournalThe Belgian Official Journal is the official journal of the Kingdom of Belgium....
, 7 May 2010)