Belgium

BELGIUM

POLITICS
The provinces of Belgium were gathered in one State during the Congress of Vienna in 1815. Fifteen years later, Belgium became a constitutional monarchy. However, the king plays a discrete role in the government. He does not give interviews, does not discuss publicly the policies taken by the State and does not engage in polemic issues with other politicians. His laws cannotbe passed if the minister does not support them. The king’s political power is based on suggestions, advises, counsels and warns. Belgium has a modern industrialized and commercial economy. It is one of the six founding members of the European Union.
Belgium is a federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy. This means that the King of Belgium is the head of state.
Albert II(Albert Félix Humbert Théodore Christian Eugène Marie) has been the King since August 1993.
The head of government was Prime Misister Yves Leterme, since November 2009 to December 2010, date in which he resignated, but still remains as caretaker.
MAIN POLITICAL PARTIES
The political parties are divided in:
Flemish:
* Christian Democratic and Flemish or CDV- Marianne Thyssen;
*Dedecker List or LDD- Jean-Marie Dedecker;
* Flemish Liberals and Democrats or Open VLD;
* Groen! Wouter Van Beslen (formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens);
* New Flemish Alliance or N-VA- Bart De Wever;
* Social Liberal Party or SLP- Geert Lambert (prior to 19 April 2008, known as Spirit);
* Social Progressive Alternative or SP.A- Caroline Gennez;
* Vlaams Belang (FlemishInterest) or VB - Bruno Valkerniers
Francophone:
* Ecolo (Francophone Greens)- Jean-Michel Javaux;
* Humanist and Democratic Center or CDH- Joelle Milquet;
* National Front or FN- Daniel Huygens;
* Reform Movement or MR- Didier Reynders;
* Socialist Party or PS- Elio Di Rupo
POPULATION
Belgium is composed of three communities: Flanders, who are Dutch-speaking people; Wallons, whospeak French; and Brussels, where they speak both languages, and it’s currently the capital of the European Union.
As we notice, these three groups have not only linguistic differences, but also cultural and sometimes political issues.
These cultural differences have led to struggles between Catholics and Protestants. Nevertheless, Belgium has adopted a pacific way to solve its internaldisputes.
This way is called “compromis à la belge”, and it requires the three groups to work together in order to have a stronger country. It is notable how Belgium has survived on the international stage with all those differences and being the scenario of European wars. Belgium is no longer the battlefield of European powers; it has become the commerce field of Europe.
Like many other countries inEurope, families in Belgium are small. The fertility rate is 1.65 children per woman. Moreover, Belgium’s population is growing old quite fast. Right now, 15% of its total population is older than 75. However, a distinctive characteristic of the Belgian people is their solidarity. They have created a social security program, which provides them with pensions, medical assurances, familyallowances, unemployment benefits and so on.
ECONOMY (major industries)
The Belgians work in agriculture, industry and services (banks, hotels, etc.). They also have developed high technology industry and have focused on research.
Almost all the students finish their majors at the age of 23. The Medias in Belgium offer 41 channels, public and private radio and a large variety of newspapers, which placethe Belgian Medias amongst the most competitive Medias in Europe.
There are public and private channels for the French-speaking people and for those who speak German or Dutch. Finally, the newspapers in Belgium represent all the ideologies that are shared in the country.
Belgium major industries are:
* Engineering and metal products
* Motor vehicle assembly
* Transportation...