Belgium flagPolitics & Government Guide

Political system, governance structure, stability indicators, and democratic institutions in Belgium

Belgium is a federal constitutional monarchy with King Philippe as head of state and Bart De Wever as Prime Minister since February 2025. The country recently formed a new coalition government emphasizing regional autonomy and budget reforms amid significant public protests against pension and austerity measures. The federal government is moving toward abolishing the Senate, reflecting ongoing institutional reforms.

Political Stability

Good

Corruption Index

Moderate

Democracy Index

Good

Government Type

Federal Constitutional Monarchy

Legal System

Civil law system with regional variations

Head of State

King Philippe(since 2013)

Head of Government

Prime Minister Bart De Wever(New Flemish Alliance)since 2025

Political Indicators

Political Stability
0.75

Scale: 0-1

Stable

Political Stability Index (2024)

Corruption Index
73Rank #17

Scale: 0-100

Transparency International (2024)

Press Freedom
75.3Rank #21

Scale: 0-100

Reporters Without Borders (2024)

Democracy Index
8.55Rank #16

Scale: 0-10

Full Democracy

Economist Intelligence Unit (2024)

Legislature

Type:bicameral
Upper House:Senate (60 seats)
Lower House:Chamber of Representatives (150 seats)

Major Political Parties

New Flemish Alliance(N-VA)

Center-right to right-wing

43 seats
Socialist Party(PS)

Center-left

29 seats
Reformist Movement(MR)

Center-right

23 seats
Christian Democratic and Flemish(CD&V)

Center

12 seats

Voting Rights

Belgian citizens have full voting rights. EU citizens residing in Belgium can vote in local and European Parliament elections but not in federal elections.

Recent Developments

  • Bart De Wever sworn in as Prime Minister on 3 February 2025 after prolonged government formation talks
  • Federal government announced plans in June 2025 to initiate abolition of the Senate
  • Large protests and strikes in early 2025 against proposed pension reforms and austerity measures
  • New coalition government formed with focus on regional autonomy and budget reforms
Voting Age18
SuffrageUniversal
Regions and Communities6