België Gouvernement Profiel 2008

Hoofdstad

name: Brussels
geographic coordinates: 50 50 N, 4 20 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Onafhankelijkheid dag

4 Oktober 1830 (a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands); 21 Juli 1831 (King LEOPOLD I ascended to the throne)

Nationale feestdag

21 Juli (1831) ascension to the Throne of King LEOPOLD I

Grondwet

7 Februari 1831; amended many times; revised 14 Juli 1993 to create a federal state

Stemmen

18 jaar; universal and compulsory

uitvoerende macht

chief of state: King ALBERT II (since 9 August 1993); Heir Apparent Prince PHILIPPE, son of the monarch
head of government: Prime Minister Yves LETERME (20 March 2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers are formally appointed by the monarch
elections: the monarchy is hereditary and constitutional; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and then approved by parliament