King Philippe and Government Formations; 2014 -

[iceflower]

Finally a new government...


Here are some more pics and a video:


** gettyimages gallery ** belga gallery ** rtl.be video **


** bbc: Belgium's young PM sworn in to lead centre-right government **

[Al_bina]

It is great that Belgium has a new government.
Unlike Mr Elio Di Rupo, Prime Minister Charles Michel looks odd and uncomfortable in his suit.

[Jacknch]

Well, it is a relief that Belgium has a new Government - I like the swearing in ceremony and feel that it is an important function publicly seen between the ministers and the head of state.
I must agree with Duc_et-Pair with what he says as I certainly wouldn't dream of standing in front of any head of state with my arms folded!

[maria-olivia]

Netherlands has one language , Belgium for some Ministers had one language , for some two and for others 3!

[Duc_et_Pair]

Finally, after the Elections of May 26th 2019 (!), Belgium has a new intended Government.

It is a coalition of seven parties. It immediately draws fierce opposition from the two biggest parties in Parliament (two Flemish nationalist parties).

The opposition says: "A Government without a Dutch-speaking majority led by the leader of the seventh largest fraction?" The Dutch-speaking part form 60% of the Belgian population, pay 70% of the Belgian taxes and produce 80% of the Belgian export.

Because extremes are joined in this seven-party-coalition (socialists, liberals, greens and a few christian-democrats) many experts in media expect an infighting Cabinet.

The King is not yet there to take the Oath from the new Government: first the seven parties need to nominate ministers.

After this it is the word to the parties' congresses. Because it is digital in Covid-times, it will not be the usual congresses with militants showing up to shore their party leadership by rasing hands in the open. Now the word is to the members of these seven parties, to vote from their secluded homes. They can still torpedo this intended coalition because of they expect to be eaten alive by the fierce opposition.

[rominet09]

I really hope we will again hear of Sophie Wilmes.... She did a good job under difficult circomstances

[cdm]

Sophie Wilmès will be minister of
foreign affairs.

The new government will go to the King later today to take the oath.

[iceflower]

The new government has been sworn in today, October 1:



** rex gallery ** anp gallery ** gettyimages gallery **

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by iceflower

The new government has been sworn in today, October 1:



** rex gallery ** anp gallery ** gettyimages gallery **

Could anyone please provide a link to the text of the oath? Does it include any pledge of allegiance to the King?

[Lady Daly]

Congratulations to Belgium and good luck after what seemed like a neverending arduous process.

https://www.politico.eu/article/alex...hings-to-know/

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

Could anyone please provide a link to the text of the oath? Does it include any pledge of allegiance to the King?

Members of Parliament: Je jure d’observer la Constitution (I swear to observe the Constitution).

Ministers of the regional Governments: Je jure d’observer la Constitution (I swear to observe the Constitution).

Ministers of the federal Government: Je jure fidélité au Roi, obéissance à la Constitution et aux lois du Peuple belge (I swear fidelity to the King, obedience to the Constitution and to the laws of the Belgian people). This Oath is in the pipeline to become the same as the two other Oaths.

The Belgian procedure is quite laissez-faire, laissez-passer. The intended Prime Minister collects names and that was it. In the Netherlands or in Germany there needs to be an investigation of antecedents, a security check, a check of criminal records, a clearance of financial interests and a check on "other topics which may be of interest".

Yesterday it became known that the 7 parties agreed to form a coalition and whoppa, there is a fleet of ministers. No check, no debate, nothing. Amazing!

[Lady Daly]

Originally Posted by Duc_et_Pair

Members of Parliament: Je jure d’observer la Constitution (I swear to observe the Constitution).

Ministers of the regional Governments: Je jure d’observer la Constitution (I swear to observe the Constitution).

Ministers of the federal Government: Je jure fidélité au Roi, obéissance à la Constitution et aux lois du Peuple belge (I swear fidelity to the King, obedience to the Constitution and to the laws of the Belgian people). This Oath is in the pipeline to become the same as the two other Oaths.

The Belgian procedure is quite laissez-faire, laissez-passer. The intended Prime Minister collects names and that was it. In the Netherlands or in Germany there needs to be an investigation of antecedents, a security check, a check of criminal records, a clearance of financial interests and a check on "other topics which may be of interest".

Yesterday it became known that the 7 parties agreed to form a coalition and whoppa, there is a fleet of ministers. No check, no debate, nothing. Amazing!

Going forward, is the King's "job" done for now as far as the forming of a new government or are there other oversights he is tasked with?

How is it known there have been no security checks, etc, aren't a majority of these participants well known within the government already.

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by Lady Daly

Going forward, is the King's "job" done for now as far as the forming of a new government or are there other oversights he is tasked with?

How is it known there have been no security checks, etc, aren't a majority of these participants well known within the government already.

The King has no formal role anymore. His job was listening to the chairs of the many parties and then send in pre-informateurs, then pre- formateurs, then informateur, then formateurs and finally see a Prime Minister whom sees "his" team collected by the 7 chairs of the 7 parties forming this Coalition.

The Oath ceremony is also quite a hasty affair. No dress code and there are ministers without tie and it is the King who simply walks past the new ministers, guided by the Prime Minister. In neighbouring Netherlands the ministers are required to wear jacquet ( picture ) and the ministers step forward one by one to say the Oath. The King remains in the centre ( picture ).

[Duc_et_Pair]

Immediately after the Oath the brand new minister of Work & Pensions, Mr Pierre-Yves Dermagne, said in an interview on to Villa Politica on the Belgian Dutch-speaking television: "I am, was and remain a convinced republican".

But he just pledged "fidélité au Roi" was the question of Villa Politica?

According to Mr Dermagne he was just "respecting" the current system, no more, no less. Mr Dermagne is not only known as an anti-monarchist, he is also an outspoken regionalist, wishing to see the Belgian national state bare-boned to the minimum in favour of the regions.