Belgium
Senate
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Political system
Political systems: Presidential, Parliamentary, Presidential-Parliamentary, Monarchy, Communist, Transitional.
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Parliamentary system
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Structure of parliament
Structure of parliament: Unicameral, bicameral
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Bicameral
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IPU membership
Current membership status
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Yes
Law-making
Data on parliament’s law-making role and activities
Legislative activity
- Number of laws adopted by parliament, per year
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222(2023)
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Total number of laws adopted by Parliament in the previous legislature
“Legislature” refers to the full period between the first session of a new legislature until it’s dissolution.
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893(2024-06)
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Number of laws adopted in the previous legislature that were initiated by parliament
In some cases other entities have the right to initiate legislation in national parliaments – such as citizens, autonomous regions, and other high-level government institutions.
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219(2024-06)
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Number of laws adopted in the previous legislature that were initiated by the government
In some cases other entities have the right to initiate legislation in national parliaments – such as citizens, autonomous regions, and other high-level government institutions.
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674(2024-06)
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Percentage of laws initiated by parliament in the previous legislature
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of the laws adopted that were initiated by parliament by the total number of laws adopted in the previous legislature.
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25%(2024-06)
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Dates of the previous legislature
Refers to the full period between the first session of a new legislature until it’s dissolution
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20 Jun 2019 to 27 May 2024(2024-06)
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Outcome when the two chambers cannot agree on a piece of draft legislation
For bicameral parliaments: Outcome when the two chambers cannot agree on a piece of draft legislationNot applicable; The legislation cannot be adopted unless both chambers agree; The decision of the lower chamber will take effect after a certain deadline; The decision of the upper chamber will take effect after a certain deadline; Other (please specify) For bicameral parliaments: Outcome when the two chambers cannot agree on a piece of draft legislation
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The decision of the lower chamber will take effect after a certain deadline
Notes: Since the 2014 reforms, the Senate laregely has an advisory role and no longer has the power to amend or block legislation, except in specific cases (such as reforms to the Constitution). If the Senate suggests amendments or expresses disagreement, the legislation returns to the Chamber of Representatives. The Chamber of Representatives can choose to accept or reject the Senate's suggestions. Ultimately, the Chamber of Representatives passes the legislation and is the final decision-maker in most matters.
Sources: Constitution, arts 74 to 83 (arts 74 to 78, 82 and 83 as of 25 May 2014)
Executive-legislative relations
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Legislation adopted by parliament requires the assent of the Head of State
In some countries, the Constitution foresees that legislation adopted by parliament must be signed into law by the Head of State. If so, the Head of State may, for example, have the power to veto the legislation, return it to parliament, or submit it to another body such as a constitutional court.
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Yes
Sources: Articles 36 and 109 of the Constitution.
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Number of times the Head of State declined to give assent to legislation, per year
In some countries, the Constitution foresees that legislation adopted by parliament must be signed into law by the Head of State. If so, the Head of State may, for example, have the power to veto the legislation, return it to parliament, or submit it to another body such as a constitutional court.
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0(2023)
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Consequences when the Head of State declines to give assent to legislation
Consequences when the Head of State declines to give assent to legislation: Not applicable; No further action is taken. The legislation is rejected; The legislation is returned to Parliament for re-examination; The legislation is referred to the Constitutional/Supreme Court;The legislation is put to a referendum; Other (please specify)
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Other
Notes:
The King and his government, as a branch of the legislative power, approve laws. In theory, the King and the government are not obliged to do so. They thus have a right of veto. That practice was current in the nineteenth century but has fallen into disuse.
Neither the Constitution nor the law provides what should happen if the King refuses to assent to a law passed by the federal parliament or if the federal parliament and the King do not agree on a legislative text. A distinction must therefore be made between the legal consequences and the political consequences of such a situation:
- in legal terms, the legislative process cannot be completed;
- on the political level, an institutional crisis threatens to occur.Faced with the threat of an institutional crisis, it is almost impossible in practice for the King to refuse to sanction a law adopted by the federal parliament or to express his disagreement with a law adopted by the federal parliament.
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Final decision when parliament and the Head of State do not agree
Final decision when parliament and the Head of State do not agree: Not applicable; Parliament; Head of State; Constitutional/Supreme Court; Other (please specify)
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Not applicable
Existence of a procedure to introduce emergency legislation
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There is a procedure for introducing emergency legislation into parliament
In some countries, the Constitution may allow the government to submit emergency legislation to parliament. The provision may, for example, allow the government to set a deadline for parliament to debate a particular bill. The procedure may also be referred to differently depending on the parliament, for e.g., urgent proceedings. In general, this is a formalized procedure that involves speeding up the passage of legislation by circumventing normal processes.
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Yes
- Number of times the procedure for emergency legislation was used, per year
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49
Sources: Under Article 51 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives, the House decides by sitting and standing on any urgent proposal.