Chamber of Representatives (Belgium) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chamber of Representatives |
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|---|---|
| 55th legislature (2019–2024) | |
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| Type | |
| Type | |
| Leadership | |
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President
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Patrick Dewael, Open VLD
Since 27 June 2019 |
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Majority leaders
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David Clarinval, MR
Servais Verherstraeten, CD&V Vincent Van Quickenborne, Open Vld |
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Opposition leaders
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Peter De Roover, N-VA
Ahmed Laaouej, PS Meryame Kitir, sp.a Kristof Calvo, Ecolo-Groen Catherine Fonck, cdH |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 150 representatives |
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Political groups
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Minority Government (38)
Confidence-and-supply (57)
Opposition (55)
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Length of term
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5 years |
| Elections | |
| Open list proportional representation within eleven constituencies, with 5% constituency electoral thresholds | |
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Last election
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26 May 2019 |
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Next election
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2024 |
| Meeting place | |
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Palace of the Nation Brussels, Region of Brussels, Belgium |
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| Website | |
The Chamber of Representatives is a very important part of the government in Belgium. It is one of two main groups that make up the Federal Parliament. The other group is called the Senate.
Think of the Federal Parliament as having two "houses." The Chamber of Representatives is known as the "lower house." This means it plays a big role in making laws for the country.
Contents
What is the Chamber of Representatives?
The Chamber of Representatives is where elected officials, called representatives, meet to discuss and vote on new laws. There are 150 representatives in total. They are chosen by the people of Belgium in elections.
This group works together with the Senate to make sure Belgium has good laws. They talk about important issues that affect everyone in the country.
What Do Representatives Do?
The main job of the representatives is to create and approve laws. They also keep an eye on the government to make sure it is doing its job well. This is called oversight.
Representatives discuss many different topics, from education and healthcare to the economy. They represent the people who voted for them and try to make decisions that help their communities.
How Are Members Chosen?
Members of the Chamber of Representatives are elected by the people of Belgium. Elections happen every five years. People vote for their favorite political parties and candidates.
The way votes are counted helps make sure that smaller groups also get a chance to have their voices heard. This is called proportional representation.
Who Leads the Chamber?
The Chamber of Representatives has a leader called the President. The President's job is to make sure meetings run smoothly and fairly. They help guide discussions and ensure everyone follows the rules.
The current President is Patrick Dewael. He belongs to the Open VLD political party.
Where Do They Meet?
The Chamber of Representatives meets in a special building called the Palace of the Nation. This important building is located in Brussels, which is the capital city of Belgium.
It's a historic place where many important decisions for Belgium have been made over the years.
Images for kids
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The Palace of the Nation in Brussels, where the Federal Parliament meets.
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Leopold II taking an important oath in 1865.
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Inside the Hemicycle, where representatives meet. You can see a statue of Leopold I, the first King of the Belgians.
See also
In Spanish: Cámara de Representantes de Bélgica para niños
