Bélgica - Gobierno - Perfil - 2000

Capital

Brussels

Independencia

4 Octubre 1830 (from the Netherlands)

Feriado nacional

National Day, 21 Julio (ascension of King LEOPOLD I to the throne in 1831)

Constitución

7 Febrero 1831, last revisada 14 Julio 1993; parliament approved a constitutional package creating a federal state

Sufragio

18 años de edad; universal y obligatorio

Poder Executivo

jefe de estado:King ALBERT II (desde 9 August 1993); Heir Apparent Prince PHILIPPE, son of the monarch
jefe de gobierno:Prime Minister Guy VERHOFSTADT (desde 13 July 1999)
cabinet:Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch and approved by Parliament
elections:none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch and then approved by Parliament
note:government coalition - VLD, PRL, PS, SP, AGALEV, and ECOLO