Sixth Belgian state reform
The sixth state reform in the federal kingdom of Belgium is the result after the 2010–2011 Belgian government formation, with 541 days of negotiations the longest ever in Belgium and possibly the world. The agreement was made among the Christian-democratic CD&V and cdH, social-democratic sp.a and PS, liberal Open Vld and MR and ecologist Groen! and Ecolo, each respectively a Flemish and French-speaking party. The first six parties, therefore not including the green parties, then formed the Di Rupo I Government. The Flemish nationalist party New Flemish Alliance, which became the largest after the 2010 elections, is notably not part of the agreement nor of the government coalition.
It is also called Butterfly Agreement, referring to the bow tie which Elio Di Rupo nearly always wears.Contents
Political reform
Brussels and Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde
Transfer of competences from the federal level to the communities and regions
- Regions will receive economic and employment competences, communities will be responsible for family policy.
Reform of the financing law
- The communities and regions will be financed differently and will have more fiscal autonomy.
Changes to the Powers of the Royal Family
- The children of the King will no longer be entitled to a seat in the Senate.
