Duc_et_Pair
Imperial Majesty
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2014
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- 13,235
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His refusal is exactly what makes him different than all the other royals who just blindly sign anything and everything put in front of them. For many, that's what makes the man great, not a scoundrel.
He may be "great" but in essence the King has not understood his role. The democratically elected Chamber of Representatives and the democratically elected Senate have approved a Bill which was initiated by the democratically elected Government. All constitutional procedures, from draft to final Act were followed precizely.
Then one man, whom nevertheless solemnly pledged to maintain and upheld the Constitution, who was not elected by anybody and has no public mandate, steps on the brakes, purely because of HIS conscience.
In all modern constitutional handbooks is explained that the final royal (or presidential assent) is no personal opinion of the head of state but a confirmation that all has passed correctly and that the Act is -seen the result of the votings- an espression of the democratic will of the people. Because King Baudouin was King for so long, he had a great personal prestige. People looked up to him and ministers were wringling in all directions to find a loophole, so that the Act would go through but the King was 'spared'.
In Luxembourg Grand Duke Henri refused to sign a Bill which allows euthanasia (under very, very specific circumstances). The Luxembourg Government had no any pardon for the Grand Duke: immediately a revision of the Constitution was initiated (and approved by Parliament -unanimously!!!-) which removed the Grand Duke's role in the legislative process. No longer the Grand Duke has to sign Acts and Decrees. Now he only 'promulgates' them (by publication he requests all authorities to execute the Act or Decree).
Especially in divided Belgium, Baudouin's escapades could have led to a fall of the monarchy. And what for? The Abortion Act would have been enforced anyway, to the left or to the right, with the King or without the King. The King's stance was short-sighted and showed that he thought he was still Leopold I in 1840 or so. Even the Vatican requested the King to come back on earth, with both feet on the ground.
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